TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Bulgarian-born wrestler Aoiyama, who reached a career-high ranking of sekiwake, sumo's third-highest rank, will retire from competition, the Japan Sumo Association announced Tuesday.

A Japanese citizen since 2022, the 38-year-old will remain in the sumo world under the elder name Iwatamo and coach wrestlers at his Kasugano stable.

Aoiyama made his debut at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in July 2009 and ascended to the elite makuuchi division for the first time in November 2011.

With an imposing frame and powerful pushing-and-thrusting attacks, he spent five tournaments among the three distinguished "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna and contested 71 meets in makuuchi. He most recently competed in the second-tier juryo division.

Fellow former sekiwake Myogiryu is also set to retire. The Hyogo Prefecture native, who contested the September tournament in juryo, will continue as sumo elder Furiwake and train the next generation at his Sakaigawa stable.

He contested 71 makuuchi tournaments and earned six "kinboshi" gold star awards for defeating a yokozuna while competing among the rank and file.