site.btaBulgarian Sumo Wrestler Daniel Ivanov-Aoiyama Retires

Bulgarian Daniel Ivanov-Aoiyama, who reached the third-highest rank in professional sumo wrestling, sekiwake, is ending his sports career, Kyodo News reported citing the Japan Sumo Association.

Aoiyama, 38, was born in Bulgaria. He debuted at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in July 2009, which he won with a perfect 7-0. He moved up to the elite makuuchi division for the first time in November 2011. The Bulgarian has competed in 71 bouts in the elite.

He will continue his career in sumo at Kasugano stable where he will train young wrestlers.