Fact Check: Tarasenko wakes up at 5am daily to learn Japanese online.

Fact Check: "Tarasenko wakes up at 5am daily to learn Japanese online."

What We Know

Nicholas Tarasenko, a 15-year-old sumo wrestler from Hull, England, has recently moved to Japan to pursue a career in professional sumo wrestling. His father, Georgi Zilkin, stated that Tarasenko wakes up at 5 AM daily to learn Japanese online. This commitment is crucial for his success in the sport, as proficiency in Japanese is a requirement for his trial period at the Minato stable, where he is training (The Guardian). The time difference between the UK and Japan necessitates this early wake-up time to communicate with his tutor (The Guardian).

Analysis

The claim that Tarasenko wakes up at 5 AM to learn Japanese online is supported by a direct quote from his father, which adds credibility to the assertion. The source of this information, a news article from The Guardian, is a reputable publication known for its journalistic integrity. The article discusses Tarasenko's journey and the challenges he faces as a foreign wrestler in Japan, emphasizing the importance of learning the language.

While there are other resources available for learning Japanese online, such as Duolingo and various free lesson platforms (Free Japanese Lessons), the specific detail about Tarasenko's routine is not mentioned in these sources. Therefore, while they provide context about learning Japanese, they do not directly corroborate the claim about his 5 AM schedule.

The reliability of the source is high, as it comes from a well-established media outlet that has covered Tarasenko's story in detail, including his training and adaptation to life in Japan. There are no indications of bias in the reporting, and the information aligns with the known requirements for foreign wrestlers in sumo, who must learn Japanese to integrate into the culture and sport effectively.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Nicholas Tarasenko wakes up at 5 AM daily to learn Japanese online is substantiated by credible sources, particularly his father's statement in a reputable news article. The necessity of learning Japanese for his career in sumo wrestling further supports the likelihood of this routine being accurate.