Kotoōshū Katsunori

Posted by Alfredo J. Martiz J. (Panama City, Panama) on 24 May 2008 in Sport & Recreation and Portfolio.

Kotoōshū Katsunori (the wrestler whose face can be seen in this photo), born as Kaloyan Stefanov Mahlyanov on February 19, 1983 in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, is a professional sumo wrestler or rikishi. He is currently ranked as an ōzeki or 'champion', the second-highest level in the sumo ranking system behind only yokozuna.
His name is derived from his place of origin — koto, shared by all wrestlers at his stable, and ōshū, meaning Europe.
Reference: Wikipedia

Kotoōshū has a record of 12-1 in the current tournament. In his last 3 matches he defeated both Yokozuna, Asashoryu and Hakuho, to have a record of 12-0. His winning series was stopped in yesterday's bout with 4th maegashira Aminishiki.

-Important Update-

Kaloyan Mahlyanov Kotoōshū became the first European sumoist that wins the Emperor's Cup after winning the 2008 May Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.
In day 14 of the tournament Kotoōshū won sekiwake Ama and one day before the ultimate bouts of tomorrow Kotoōshū is unreachable at the top with 13 wins and 1 loss.
Ozeki Kotoōshū used okuritaoshi to win sekiwake Ama. This win guranteed the great triumph. Kotoōshū ends up the hegemony of the two yokozunas Asashoryu and Hakuho who have won a total of 28 tournaments during the last 5 years. Asashoryu has 22 titles and Hakuho - with 6.
Both Asashoryu and Hakuho also won in day 14, though their wins would not change the ranking. Behind Kotoōshū is yokozuna Hakuho with 3 losses and 3 other sumoist with 4 losses: Asashoryu, Toyonoshima and Hokutoriki.
Reference: Kotooshu.net

Ryōgoku Kokugikan. May 21st, 2006.

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