First European Sumo Wrestler Wins Sumo Emperor's Cup
- added May 24, 2008
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- SamuraiDave
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Bulgaria's Kotooshu became the first European to win a prestigious Emperor's Cup when he won the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who was promoted to the sport's second highest rank of "ozeki" in November 2005, barged out Mongolian Ama to boost his record to an unassailable 13-1 in Tokyo.
"I'm so happy," a beaming Kotooshu told Japan's NHK television after becoming the seventh foreigner to win an Emperor's Cup. "I'm speechless. I did it at last."
Kotooshu, whose real name is Kaloyan Stefanov Mahlyanov, could rise to the elite rank of "yokozuna" if he wins the next major event in Nagoya in July.
The popular Bulgarian's victory will give Japan's ancient sport a welcome shot in the arm following a series of scandals in recent months.
The arrest of a former gym chief on suspicion of assault following the death of a teenage wrestler sent shockwaves through the sport.
That affair came after Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu was banned after being caught on TV playing soccer while supposedly injured, triggering outrage among the sumo establishment.
Sumo dates back some 2,000 years and still retains many Shinto religious overtones.
Modern professional sumo has more than 60 foreign-born wrestlers in Japan, drawn from countries ranging from South Korea to Brazil with many more from Eastern Europe.
The 25-year-old, who was promoted to the sport's second highest rank of "ozeki" in November 2005, barged out Mongolian Ama to boost his record to an unassailable 13-1 in Tokyo.
"I'm so happy," a beaming Kotooshu told Japan's NHK television after becoming the seventh foreigner to win an Emperor's Cup. "I'm speechless. I did it at last."
Kotooshu, whose real name is Kaloyan Stefanov Mahlyanov, could rise to the elite rank of "yokozuna" if he wins the next major event in Nagoya in July.
The popular Bulgarian's victory will give Japan's ancient sport a welcome shot in the arm following a series of scandals in recent months.
The arrest of a former gym chief on suspicion of assault following the death of a teenage wrestler sent shockwaves through the sport.
That affair came after Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu was banned after being caught on TV playing soccer while supposedly injured, triggering outrage among the sumo establishment.
Sumo dates back some 2,000 years and still retains many Shinto religious overtones.
Modern professional sumo has more than 60 foreign-born wrestlers in Japan, drawn from countries ranging from South Korea to Brazil with many more from Eastern Europe.
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- SamuraiDave
- 4 months ago
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If Kotooshu keeps his winning streak up for the next tournament, he could be the first European Yokozuna - champion.-
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- SamuraiDave
- 4 months ago
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