South Korea's 2.18 meter-tall Choi Hong-man, a former champion of the national folk wrestling competition, Ssirum, will be debuting in Japan’s K-1 mixed martial arts competition, Japan's Kyodo news agency said on Wednesday.

The agency quoted sources as saying the chief of Fighting Entertainment Group (FEG), the host of K-1 in Japan, will make the announcement on Thursday in Seoul.

Choi met with officials of the FEG to discuss the terms of his contract to fight in the K-1, after his LG ssirum team was recently disbanded.

The 24-year-old Choi has been a star of the ssirum scene since his debut in 1993, when he won the top title of the sport. His unique victory dance had earned him the nickname "Techno Goliath."