Kotoshoho Wins Nagoya Basho to Claim His 1st Emperor's Cup

Heading into the final day of the Nagoya Basho, 15th-ranked maegashira Kotoshoho held a one-win advantage over Aonishiki and Kusano.

In other words, the Chiba Prefecture native would clinch the title with one more victory.

Mission accomplished. 

The 25-year-old Kotoshoho captured his first Emperor's Cup by beating Ukrainian Aonishiki, a top maegashira, on Sunday, July 27 at IG Arena.

Kotoshoho, who made his professional sumo debut in November 2017, finished the tournament with a 13-2 record. He had 10 consecutive victories to close out the first-ever tournament at brand-new IG Arena, which replaced Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium after 60 years as the venue for the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. His most notable win in Nagoya was a Day 13 upset of yokozuna Onosato.

Kotoshoho became the first maegashira to win a grand sumo tournament since Takerufuji lifted the Emperor's Cup in March 2024.

Prior to the July meet, Kotoshoho's best overall performance in 2025 came at the Spring Basho in March, when he went 8-7.

In addition, he was the runner-up at the 2023 New Year Basho.

Kotoshoho completed his successful tournament in Nagoya with a forceful thrust-down of Aonishiki.

There were four more bouts after Kotoshoho vs Aonishiki to finish the day's wrestling schedule. After that, Kotoshoho was interviewed on NHK, Japan's public broadcaster. 

"I feel like my emotions haven't caught up yet, but I'm happy," Kotoshoho said during the interview.

Reflections on Winning the Nagoya Basho

Kotoshoho competed with keen concentration against rising 21-year-old star Aonishiki, who fled his homeland after Russia's invasion in 2022, to end the tourney on a high note.

"Once we clashed at the start, my body moved instinctively," Kotoshoho told NHK. "My body moved well."

Looking back at the tournament and his path to victory, which came into focus on Friday, July 25, he said, "Once I stepped onto the ring, I focused on clashing strongly at the start. I think the results came from my mindset of trying to improve my condition for the next day."

Kotoshoho added that he was pleased with his effort at the Nagoya Basho and grateful for the encouragement from his supporters.

"I always feel supported by those who cheer me on and those around me," he said in his victory interview, "and I wanted to give back to them in some way. I'm glad I was able to achieve results."

After winning his first title in sumo's top division, Kotoshoho aspires to climb in the rankings.

"I want to work hard to improve my strength and become a sumo wrestler who can be supported by many people," he told NHK. "[And] I aim to reach the top three ranks and beyond."

Nagoya Basho Title Contenders 

A quintet of runners-up ― Onosato, No 4 maegashira Tamawashi, No 14 Kusano, Aonishiki and 10th-ranked Atamifuji ― wrapped up the meet with 11-4 records.

Sixteenth-ranked maegashira Mitakeumi, 14th-ranked Fujinokawa, komusubi Takayasu and sekiwake Wakatakakage all went 10-5.

Top maegashira Wakamotoharu had a disappointing Nagoya Basho, posting a 6-9 record.

Mongolian Hoshoryu, the other yokozuna, pulled out of the tourney on Day 5 (July 17) after a 1-4 start and three losses in a row. He's been bothered by a toe injury.

Nagoya Basho Accolades

Kotoshoho, makuuchi division debutant Kusano and Fujinokawa were awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize, while the Technique Prize was issued to Kusano and Aonishiki.

Japan Sumo Association chairman Hakkaku said Kotoshoho's performance at the Nagoya Basho, including during his title-clinching win, was impressive.

"He did a great job," Hakkaku told NHK. "I think the bitter experience of competing for the championship two years ago paid off. Today, he thought carefully about his sumo and applied pressure by entering from below and moving into the center, taking a step forward. I think that step was effective." 

Also Sunday, Tamawashi received the Outstanding Performance Award. The veteran grappler, who is 40 years and 8 months old, shows no signs of slowing down.

RELATED:

• ODDS and EVENS | Sumo Begins a New Era with 2 Yokozuna
• Summer Basho Champ Onosato on the Verge of Promotion to Yokozuna
• JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK | Hoshoryu Returns to Sumo Spotlight at the Summer Basho
• Onosato Defeats Takayasu in a Playoff to Win His 3rd Title at the Spring Basho

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.