Award Ceremony to honor former komusubi KOKKAI with the 2024 Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation was held
2024/9/27
On September 27, 2024, Ambassador Ishizuka Hideki presented a certificate of commendation to former komusubi Mr. Levan Tsaguria (KOKKAI), at the 2024 Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation Ceremony held at the Ambassador’s official residence.
Kokkai, who stepped into the Sumo 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. Even after finishing his career as a Sumo wrestler, he has been working hard to promote Sumo in Georgia as the president of Georgian Sumo Federation and has contributed to the development of many young Sumo wrestlers. On August 8, 2024, he was awarded with the Foreign Minister’s Commendation in recognition of his longstanding contribution to the promotion of understanding between Japan and Georgia through Sumo.
On September 27, Ambassador Ishizuka presented Mr. Tsaguria with a certificate of Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation in recognition of his achievements in promoting friendship between Japan and Georgia through Sumo. Additionally, Mr. Alexander Khvtisiashvili, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, was a guest of honor at the ceremony. Ambassador Ishizuka also exchanged views with officials from Georgian Sumo Federation, who were attending the ceremony.
The Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation is presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan to individuals and organizations that have worked over many years to promote friendly relations with Japan.
Kokkai, who stepped into the Sumo 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. Even after finishing his career as a Sumo wrestler, he has been working hard to promote Sumo in Georgia as the president of Georgian Sumo Federation and has contributed to the development of many young Sumo wrestlers. On August 8, 2024, he was awarded with the Foreign Minister’s Commendation in recognition of his longstanding contribution to the promotion of understanding between Japan and Georgia through Sumo.
On September 27, Ambassador Ishizuka presented Mr. Tsaguria with a certificate of Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation in recognition of his achievements in promoting friendship between Japan and Georgia through Sumo. Additionally, Mr. Alexander Khvtisiashvili, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, was a guest of honor at the ceremony. Ambassador Ishizuka also exchanged views with officials from Georgian Sumo Federation, who were attending the ceremony.
The Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation is presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan to individuals and organizations that have worked over many years to promote friendly relations with Japan.