The Yokozuna Deliberation Council, a powerful advisory body to the Japan Sumo Association, unanimously recommended promoting ozeki Hakuho to the sport's highest rank of yokozuna on Monday. The JSA will finalize Hakuho's promotion at its executive committee meeting Wednesday, making him the 69th yokozuna in sumo history and first since fellow Mongolian Asashoryu was promoted after the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in January 2003. A 22-year-old from Ulan Bator, Hakuho, whose real name is Munkhbat Davaajargal, gained the nod from the council after sealing back-to-back Emperor's Cups and the third of his career on Saturday. Monday's decision by the council means sumo will have more than one grand champion for the first time in 22 tournaments.
