Ozeki Kotoshogiku took down fellow ozeki Goeido on Sunday to win the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo for his first career Emperor’s Cup, ending a 10-year title drought by Japan-born wrestlers.

The 31-year-old Kotoshogiku made a near-perfect run, pushing his record to 14-1 with his final-day victory that clinched his first career Emperor’s Cup. The Fukuoka native is the first Japanese wrestler — excluding Kyokutenho, a naturalized citizen of Mongolian descent — to win a tournament title since Tochiazuma won the 2006 New Year basho.

Kotoshogiku won his first 12 bouts before falling on the 13th day. But he rebounded to win his final two matches, finishing with a two-win cushion over yokozuna Hakuho (12-3) and No. 7 maegashira Toyonoshima (12-3), who both lost on the final day.

“I’m so happy, I can’t even put it into words,” said Kotoshogiku, who has been an ozeki for 26 tournaments.

“But I’m also thrilled because I’m standing here now thanks to a great number of people who supported me when I struggled and didn’t get the results I wanted,” added Kotoshogiku, who used sharp footwork and his patented hold-and-push technique to pile up the victories at the year’s first basho.

Kotoshogiku, who toppled all three yokozuna en route to the Emperor’s Cup, said he didn’t think about the pressure of trying to clinch the championship in his finale. His focus was on trusting his ability.

“I was just thinking about doing exactly what I’m supposed to do — not worrying about wins and losses,” Kotoshogiku said.(The Japan News)

Link: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002704128

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