Tamawashi Ichirō (Japanese: 玉鷲 一朗, born 16 November 1984 as Batjargal Munkh-Orgil (Mongolian: Батжаргалын Мөнх-Оргил)) is a Mongolian-Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ulaanbaatar.

In January 2019, he won his first top-division championship, and his second in September 2022 at the age of 37, making him the oldest winner of the top division since the introduction of the six tournaments a year system in 1958.

'iron man') and known as a "living legend" of the sport,[1] Tamawashi has not missed a bout in his career to date (except for an enforced COVID-19 quarantine during the July 2022 tournament).

[3] In March 2024 Tamawashi acquired Japanese citizenship in order to remain in the Sumo Association as a coach upon his retirement.

[4] In Mongolia, Munkh-Orgil was working toward a career in the hotel industry, but was encouraged to come to Japan by his older sister who was studying there.

They talked about the prospects of Munkh-Orgil joining a stable and Kakuryū put him in touch with former senior Mongolian sumo wrestler Kyokushūzan.

The tournament ended on an embarrassing note for him when he injured his right arm by leaning against and breaking the window of a restaurant in Tokyo.

He made an immediate return to makuuchi for the March tournament, but fell back to jūryō on two further occasions, in September 2012 and May 2013.

[6] He was unable to hold on to the rank for more than a single tournament, but In May 2015 he earned his first gold star or kinboshi for an upset of a yokozuna, defeating Harumafuji.

Tamawashi lost san'yaku status after another 7–8 at komusubi in September, but in the Kyushu tournament he was one of four runners-up with an 11–4 record at maegashira 1.

On the final day of the tournament Tamawashi caught up to Yoshiazuma and going forward will hold the record for most consecutive matches by an active wrestler.

However, the Sumo Association did not regard an enforced quarantine as breaking a run of consecutive appearances as it is through no fault of the wrestler, and so Tamawashi was allowed to continue his streak in the following September tournament.

[20] After he was beaten by the yokozuna in July, Tamawashi defeated Terunofuji again in September for his fourth kinboshi of the year,[21] on his way to a 13-2 tournament victory.

[22] For the November 2022 tournament Tamawashi was promoted back to sanyaku for the first time since 2019, becoming at 37 year and 11 months the oldest wrestler to achieve this since Takamiyama in 1982.

[23][24] During his day 9 bout against Ura, Tamawashi used the extremely rare gasshōhineri (clasped hand twist down) kimarite, a move not seen in the top division since 1965.

On this occasion, the latter declared that, like Tamawashi, he was a wrestler who relied more on thrusting techniques, which he felt were less dangerous and therefore favoured longevity in the ring.

The match against Kagayaki resulted in his first win of the that month's tournament, to which he received loud cheers from the spectators at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.

[32] His wife is the elder sister of another sumo wrestler, Tamashōhō, who became Tamawashi's stablemate in 2020 when he was transferred to Kataonami stable.

[34] In 2021 he applied for Japanese citizenship with the help of his stablemaster,[35] stating that he hoped to stay as a coach after retiring and "I want to give back.

[36] Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Terunofuji (retired) Kotozakura Hōshōryū Ōnosato Wakamotoharu Daieishō Abi Wakatakakage Takanoshō Kirishima Tobizaru Atamifuji Gōnoyama Ōhō Shōdai Ura Hiradoumi Chiyoshōma Takayasu Ichiyamamoto Endō Mitakeumi Rōga Takarafuji Churanoumi Ōshōma Tamawashi Meisei Midorifuji Takerufuji Nishikigi Ōnokatsu Shōnannoumi Kotoshōhō Hokutofuji Kinbōzan Hakuōhō Kitanowaka Tamashōhō Kagayaki Nishikifuji Tokihayate