Hakuhō holds the record for the most top-division championships in professional sumo, with 45.
Born Mönkhbatyn Davaajargal in Mongolia, Hakuhō entered professional sumo in Japan and reached the yokozuna rank in 2007. His long career combined exceptional strength, balance and tactical control, allowing him to dominate the makuuchi top division for many years.
Hakuhō won his 45th top-division championship in July 2021. That total surpassed the previous record of 32 championships held by Taihō, another legendary yokozuna. Championship totals count official top-division tournament victories, not every tournament in which a wrestler competed.
Hakuhō also set other major records, including the most career wins in the top division and the most wins by a yokozuna. His career is sometimes discussed separately from overall tournament victories because sumo has several divisions and multiple official award categories. The 45-title record specifically refers to makuuchi championships.