Former komusubi Sumo wrestler Kokkai receives the 2024 Commendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan

On August 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the 2024 Minister of Foreign Affairs Award. The following person from our jurisdiction was selected as the recipient of the award for his contribution to the promotion of cultural exchange between Japan and Georgia through sumo.
 
Name of Awardee: Mr. Levan Tsaguria, known as Futoshi Kokkai, former komusubi rank, president of National Sumo Federation of Georgia
Achievement: Promotion of cultural exchange between Japan and Georgia through Sumo
 
Kokkai, who stepped into the ring for the first time in 2001 and remained active as a Sumo wrestler until 2012, was promoted to the komusubi rank in March 2006, making him the first European-born Sumo wrestler in history. Komusubi is the fourth highest rank in Sumo world. There are usually just a few wrestlers with a komusubi rank. It's a difficult rank to maintain.
After his retirement, since 2018 he has been the president of the Sumo Federation of Georgia and has also worked tirelessly to promote sumo in Georgia through media, increasing the visibility and popularity of Sumo and leading to an increase in the number of trainees. As the president of the Federation, he continues to contribute to the promotion of friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and Georgia through Sumo.
 
Ambassador of Japan in Georgia, H.E. ISHIZUKA Hideki called Mr. Levan Tsaguria (Kokkai) on August 2 to congratulate him on the award. Mr. Tsaguria expressed his joy, saying “Thank you very much for this award. The people of Japan have been very kind to me.”
 
The main purpose of the Commendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs is to honour individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and other countries, and to let the public know and further understand and support their activities. This year, 186 individuals and 59 organizations will receive this award (Breakdown: residing in Japan: 38 individuals and 6 organizations; residing outside of Japan: 148 individuals and 53 organizations).
The recipients from Japan will receive the commendation letter, while the individuals will also receive an additional prize. As for the recipients from outside of Japan, they will receive a certificate of commendation and a supplementary prize later, through the diplomatic mission abroad.
 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website link: 
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/release/pressit_000001_00959.html