Bulgaria's Kotooshu first European to win biggest sumo prize

by jessica.lam | June 11, 2008 at 03:38 pm | 400 views | 6 comments

Taking the sumo trophy out of it's homeland is Kaloyan Mahlyanov (Kotooshu) from Bulgaria!

Less than six years after his debut in sumo wrestling, Bulgarian wrestler Kotooshu became the first European to win the Summer Grand Tournament in Tokyo and capture the Emperor's Cup, the biggest prize in the ancient sport.

"Finally, I made it," Kotooshu, born Kaloyan Mahlyanov, told reporters after he clinched the title a day before his final match on May 25th. "I can't find (the) right words to express my feelings."

The 25-year-old Bulgarian triumphed with a record 14 wins over 15 days, besting the two highest-ranked participants in the event, Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu and Hakuho. Kotooshu suffered only one defeat -- by the lower-ranked Aminishiki.

The wrestler's proud father, Stefan, was in Tokyo to watch. Sitting in the crowded Kokugikan stadium, he waved a small Bulgarian flag and shook hands with dozens of other spectators.

Back in his hometown of Dzhulyunitsa, Kotooshu's mother did not miss a match on TV, either. She and her friends are now experts of sorts on sumo, according to one of the friends.

At the age of 14, Kotooshu became a Greco-Roman wrestler. He won aEuropean championship but switched to sumo, making his debut inNovember 2002.

Kotooshu won promotion to ozeki, thesecond-highest category in sumo, in January 2006. Clinching the titlein Tokyo cleared the path for his promotion to yokozuna after aninjury-hampered two years. A victory at next month's Grand Tournamentin Nagoya would significantly strengthen Kotooshu's chances ofadvancement.

Flag this story

Upload

Make your good story a great story. Click here to add your photos & video to this story.

Crowd Power

Scan the web to add photos and videos to this story or add them from the NowPublic Archive.

edhume3

at 06:19 on June 12th, 2008

The series of photos I have is from Thursday when Kotooshu faced off against #2 wrestler Hakuho. This match was one of the most exciting in the tournament as evidenced by the seat cushion throwing frenzy at the end. Kotooshu is noticeably leaner and more muscular than many of the sumo wrestlers. He carries himself with the grace and respect for tradition befitting a champion.

edhume3 has contributed a photo to this story.

carpediem37

at 06:20 on June 12th, 2008

I've passed up multiple opportunities for a photo op with Kotooshu-san. The first was when I was still new in Japan. I was showing my sister around Tokyo when she came to visit. We went to the kokugikan in Ryogoku. It was the off-season so no one was around. While we were hanging around, just looking at the building, Kotooshu walked out past us through the gates. He was wearing a kimono and had his hair in his top-knot. But I assumed he was nobody since he didn't look Japanese and he didn't look especially fat... He looked at us as though he expected us to speak to him or something, which I remember thinking was weird. But then he just kept walking. Then, about a month later, I happened to see a sumo match on TV and saw Kotooshu and recognized him. I couldn't believed I'd passed up my chance for that photo!

The second time was when I traveled to Nagano to see the sumo tournament. As we were walking up to the basho, he and another wrestler were exiting the area wearing kimono. Again, there were few other people around. I was with my husband and mom and brother this time. We passed each other and exchanged "konnichiwas", but I was too embarrassed to actually ask him to stop for a photo. I should have though. I've just never liked to act star-struck, but I wish I would have. Especially after missing one chance already! As for his wrestling matches - both tournaments I attended, he lost his match. =(

carpediem37 has contributed a photo to this story.

anarmchairtraveller

at 10:01 on June 12th, 2008

It is me asking Kotoosh an autograph. The whole time, everyone asked him autographs or taken pictures with him, however he patiently accepted requests. A great guy in person as well.

anarmchairtraveller has contributed a photo to this story.

missest1982

at 05:05 on June 15th, 2008

It was a awesome fight!

missest1982 has contributed a photo to this story.

asuka.chan02

at 02:30 on June 19th, 2008

Kotoōshū at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo during the May Sumo Tournament.

asuka.chan02 has contributed a photo to this story.

dochira

at 19:33 on June 24th, 2008

Taken at the Los Angeles Sumo Tournamnent (June 7-8, 2008) of the wrestlers completing the entrance ceremony. Kotooshu (center) joins his fellow wrestlers out of the ring.

dochira has contributed a photo to this story.