Chiyotaikai Ryūji was given his "shikona" (wrestler name) in honour of his stablemaster and joined professional sumo in November 1992 and became a "sekitori" in July 1995 upon entering the second highest "jūryō" division. He remained in "jūryō" for another two years, but after winning two "jūryō" championships in March and July 1997 he reached "makuuchi", the top division. In May 1998, Chiyotaikai was made "komusubi" and never left the "san'yaku" ranks after that. He won the prestigious Technique Prize three times that year. In January 1999, he won his first top division championship, defeating "yokozuna" Takanohana and Wakanohana on the last
Sport in Iraq Sport in Iraq Sports in Iraq There are a wide variety of sports played and followed in Iraq. Football is the most popular sport and hobbies in Iraq. Football is a considerable uniting factor, following years of war and unrest. Basketball, swimming, weightlifting, bodybuilding, taekwondo, boxing, kickboxing, and tennis are also popular sports and hobbies. Sport was only recently popular in Iraq and this was the case due to the Baath regime, which assumed power in 1968. It was primarily focused on establishing its authority by forcing society to adopt its ideology and sports did not reflect this radical orientation.