Other events in Baltic States

Estonian sumo wrestler Baruto won his first Emperor's Cup trophy on Sunday as the New Year's tournament closed, only the second tournament win by a European in the traditional Japanese martial art, reports LETA/AFP.

The 27-year-old Ozeki, the second highest ranking in sumo, finished the 15-day tournament with 14 wins and one loss, toppled only by grand champion Hakuho in the final bout on Sunday.

"I gave all I had until the end," the wrestler, whose real name is Kaido Hoovelson, said in a tearful nationally televised interview at the National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo.

It was Baruto's first victory in sumo and only the second tournament win by a European, following a 2008 victory by Bulgarian wrestler Kotooshu, whose real name is Kaloyan Stefanov Mahlyanov.

The sport has become increasingly dominated by non-Japanese with Baruto the ninth foreigner to win a tournament.

The Estonian, who came to Japan in 2004, thanked his family and fans, as his mother and wife looked on in the packed 10,000-seat arena.

"It has not been a long time, but not short either. But this is the path I have chosen. I am glad that I made the choice," he said.

Baruto secured his first tournament victory Friday when he stood undefeated with two bouts remaining, while Hakuho suffered his third loss.

"The sake was delicious. I don't remember how much I drank," Kyodo news agency quoted Baruto, whose real name is Kaido Hoovelson, as saying. Asked how it felt to raise the enormous Emperor's Cup trophy, Baruto said: "It felt light. If I think about all that I had to go through to get it, it felt heavy."

Sumo is still running to recover its popularity after its reputation took a battering over long-standing allegations over bout-rigging.

A total of 22 wrestlers and one stablemaster resigned in the wake of the revelations, which led to a six-month hiatus in tournaments.

It was the latest in a series of debilitating blows to the tradition-bound sport, which has been shaken by scandals including illegal drug use and brutal training methods that resulted in the death of a teenage apprentice. Allegations that some wrestlers and stablemasters have ties to organized crime groups continue to dog the sport.