Oh, brothers!
Wakanohana promoted
to yokozuna

TOKYO -- Sumo made history today when ozeki Wakanohana officially joined younger brother Takanohana at the summit of the traditional Japanese sport.

The Japan Sumo Association board of directors gave unanimous approval to Wakanohana's promotion to yokozuna (grand champion), the first time that two brothers have simultaneously held the sport's highest rank.

Wakanohana became the 66th grand champion as the JSA endorsed a recommendation by the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, an advisory panel to the association, after the 27-year-old Tokyo native claimed back-to-back tournament victories.

Wakanohana secured his fifth Emperor's Cup on Sunday by winning the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with a 12-3 record.

He is the first wrestler to win promotion to yokozuna since 1994 when Takanohana was elevated to grand champion status.

The only other active yokozuna is Akebono, or Chad Rowan from Hawaii.

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