Mongolian wrester Kyokushuzan KYODO PHOTO

The 33-year-old wrestler has been suffering from heart disease for about a year and decided to retire after losing the first match of a tournament that kicked off Nov. 12.

"For all the fans, thank you for supporting me over the past 15 years," Kyokushuzan said in Fukuoka, where the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament is being held.

"First of all, I really want to express my gratitude to my stable master Oshima for coming as far as Mongolia 15 years ago and taking me to Japan, and bringing me up like this," the wrestler said.

"After my bout yesterday, my heart felt constricted and I realized that I can't go on wrestling. This was an important decision because I want to live a long life after sumo," he explained.

The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 18, 2006
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