Ozeki (second rank) Kotoshogiku has become the story of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament as he raises hopes of becoming the first Japanese sumo champion in ten years. Born in Fukuoka, the ozeki defeated Monogolian yokozuna (first rank) Kakuryu on Tuesday and yokozuna Hakuho, also Mongolian, on Wednesday.
The Japan Times says that Kotoshogiku “was fastest off the mark, slammed into Hakuho’s left shoulder, wrapped up his opponent’s arms and seized control.
” Kotoshogiku is now 11-0 for the tournament with four matches to go. His closest competition is Hakuho, 101, and yokozuna Harumafuji, 10-1. The tournament sold out for Wednesday and Thursday.
