June 16, 2013

African Muslim Rises Up Sumo Ranks: An Egyptian Muslim has become the first sumo wrestler from Africa to reach the second-highest division of the sport. Osunaarashi Kintaro, 21, whose real name is Abdelrahman Ahmed Shaalan, is a Giza, Egypt, native who began practicing sumo at age 15 and moved to Japan two years ago. He's 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds and was promoted to juryo division after only eight tournaments. "God has given me the gift (of victory) after I have gone through a lot of pain," he said. Favoring pushing and thrust-out techniques so far in his career, Osunaarashi's sumo name means "great sandstorm."

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