Kotozakura won his first Emperor's Cup on Sunday, November 24 when he swatted down fellow ozeki Hoshoryu in a winner-take-all bout on the final day of the Kyushu Basho.
In the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Hoshoryu went on the attack with several arm thrusts to the neck and upper body of his larger opponent after the initial face-off.
When he realized that was a fruitless endeavor, Hoshoryu attempted one of his favored arm throws but couldn't pull it off and Kotozakura got a hand on the back of his opponent and swatted him down to improve to 14-1.
Hoshoryu, who seemed to lose his footing after the attempted arm throw, dropped to 13-2.
"I experienced many highs and lows since turning professional," said Kotozakura, who turned pro nine years ago and previously competed under the name Kotonowaka prior to the Summer Basho in May 2024. "But I was able to persevere and was finally able to win the title."
It was the first time in 21 years that two ozeki faced off on the final day with identical records to decide the championship.
Kyushu Basho Winner Kotozukara Recalls Grandfather's Advice
Kotozakura was fighting in his fifth tournament as an ozeki after being promoted following the January tournament this year.
With the win, Kotozakura also earned the right to challenge for promotion to grand champion in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in January 2025. His grandfather, Kotozakura, was the sport's 53rd yokozuna.
"I know my grandfather would tell me I can't be satisfied at this level and have to aim higher, that is what he would want and that's what I intend to do," Kotozakura said.
Given that Mongolian Hoshoryu held a 12-6 advantage over Kotozakura in their previous bouts, it was an impressive result. Hoshoryu was gunning for his second Emperor's Cup and first at the rank of ozeki.
"I was quite calm before the bout," Kotozakura said. "But when I entered the ring I knew this was a make-or-break match and I realized the importance of it but I just tried to stay calm and concentrate."
Onosato Completes Ozeki Debut with a 9-6 Record
In other major bouts, new ozeki Onosato wrapped up a somewhat disappointing debut at sumo's second-highest rank when he shoved out sekiwake Kirishima to close out at 9-6.
Mongolian Kirishima lost his first five bouts of this tournament and tried to salvage a respectable record. But Kirishima finishes at 6-9 and will likely be moving down the rankings at the New Year Basho.
No 6 maegashira Takanosho wrapped up a Fighting Spirit Prize when he improved to 11-4 by swatting down No 2 maegashira Wakatakakage, who won the Technique Prize but dropped to 10-5.
"I wasn't thinking about the prize but just tried to do my sumo," said Takanosho, who took home his fourth Fighting Spirit Prize. "This was my last match of the year so I am glad I did well."
No 8 maegashira Gonoyama used a powerful frontal charge to send out third-ranked Abi in a matter of seconds and give both men a record of 11-4.
Komusubi Wakamotoharu used an evasive hit-and-shift move at the face-off to thrust down Daieisho and improve to 10-5. Sekiwake Daieisho fell to 8-7.
It was important for Wakamotoharu to pick up a 10th win for his promotion chances but it was hardly head-to-head sumo.
Chiyoshoma Notches 11th Victory
No 14 maegashira Chiyoshoma deployed an under-shoulder swing-down to defeat Ura and wrap up a very successful Kyushu Basho campaign with a personal-best record of 11-4.
Ura, a second-ranked maegashira, leaves Fukuoka with a 5-10 record that will see him fall down the rankings for the next tournament.
No 3 maegashira Atamifuji bulldozed out seventh-ranked Mitakeumi to wrap up a winning record of 8-7 on the final day. Mitakeumi, who injured his shoulder during the tournament, didn't have the power and closed out with a 7-8 record.
Takerufuji Outduels Tamawashi
Further down the ranks, March tournament winner Takerufuji thrust down sumo's Ironman Tamawashi to improve to 10-5.
It was a productive tournament for both grapplers. No 16 maegashira Takerufuji posted a solid double-digit number of wins and will be moving up the ranks for the next tournament.
Mongolian Tamawashi, who turned 40 during the tournament, finishes with a winning record of 8-7, proving that after all the years, he still has what it takes to compete in the elite division.
RELATED:
- Kyushu Basho: Hoshoryu and Kotozakura Set to Battle for the Emperor's Cup
- Hoshoryu Beats Fellow Ozeki Onosato to Set Up a Kyushu Basho Showdown with Kotozakura
- Kotonowaka Promoted to Ozeki After Stellar Performance in New Year Basho
Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.
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