A young wrestler from the Czech Republic and 10 other sumo hopefuls passed the preliminary stage of their physical examinations Friday to move another step closer to joining the ranks of professional sumo.
Pavel Bojar, an 18-year-old member of the Czech amateur sumo team at last week's world meet in Aomori, was well above the 173 cm and 75 kg required to pass the first stage of the physical exam.
Bojar, who measured 185 cm and weighed in at 88 kg, and the others will take a more detailed physical exam involving a check of the heart, lungs and other internal organs.
The results will be announced on Nov. 11 the opening day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.