For Kotonowaka, strong familial bonds led him to adopt the Kotozakura ring name of his grandfather, who was one of the 20th century's most prominent sumo wrestlers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/05/02/sumo/kotozakura-legacy-new-ozeki/ #sumo #kotozakura #kotonowaka #sadogatake
Love of family behind return of historic sumo ring name

The tenure of ozeki Kotonowaka lasted just one tournament, with the wrestler changing from his father’s ring name to that of his late grandfather.

The Japan Times
Sumo wrestler Kotonowaka is set to change his ring name to Kotozakura, taking over the name of his former yokozuna grandfather. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/03/26/sumo/sumo-ozeki-kotonowaka/ #sumo #kotonowaka #kotozakura #sadogatake
Ozeki Kotonowaka to change ring name to Kotozakura

The 26-year-old finished the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with a 10-5 record in his ozeki debut.

The Japan Times
Terunofuji is still the top dog, but the main challenge to his title aspirations is most likely to come from the ozeki ranks during the Spring Basho in Osaka. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/03/08/sumo/spring-sumo-tournament-preview/ #sumo #springgrandsumotournament #terunofuji #kirishima #hoshoryu #kotonowaka #daieisho
Terunofuji remains in driver's seat as new title hopefuls gather strength

The ascension of three new ozeki since July appears to have brought a measure of stability to sumo.

The Japan Times
Kotonowaka promotion approved by Japan Sumo Association

The 26-year-old from Chiba Prefecture comes from a sumo family.

The Japan Times
In #sumo, #Terunofuji won his 9th championship. He'll probably drop out of the next few tournaments and come back to win the Aki Basho.
After seeing the last two days, I doubt #Kirishima will ever make it to yokozuna. He'll be like a #Takakeisho, just healthier. That's not a bad thing. But yokozuna? No.
Congratulations to #Kotonowaka on his promotion to ozeki. He is definitely yokozuna material. I see Koto and #Hoshoryu being the next big yokozuna rivalry, with maybe #Onosato joining them.
Lone yokozuna Terunofuji claimed his ninth top-division title Sunday by defeating joint leader Kotonowaka in a thrilling championship playoff at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/01/28/sumo/basho-reports/terunofuji-wins-new-year-basho/?utm_content=buffer41c15&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #sumo #bashoreports #terunofuji #newyeargrandsumotournament #kotonowaka
Terunofuji beats Kotonowaka in playoff to win New Year tourney

Lone yokozuna Terunofuji claimed his ninth top-division title Sunday by defeating joint leader Kotonowaka in a thrilling championship playoff.

The Japan Times
Lone yokozuna Terunofuji and promotion-hunting sekiwake Kotonowaka head into a gripping final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in a two-way tie for the lead after each improving to 12-2 on Saturday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/01/27/sumo/basho-reports/kotonowaka-terunofuji-stay-tied/?utm_content=buffer499c4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #sumo #bashoreports #terunofuji #kirishima #kotonowaka
Kotonowaka beats Kirishima, stays tied for first with Terunofuji

Kotonowaka defeated the other overnight leader, ozeki Kirishima (11-3), while Terunofuji won by default following the injury withdrawal of ozeki Hoshoryu.

The Japan Times
Lone yokozuna Terunofuji grabbed a share of first place by defeating solo overnight leader Kotonowaka on Friday at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, setting the stage for a thrilling final weekend in Tokyo. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/01/26/sumo/basho-reports/terunofuji-beats-kotonowaka/?utm_content=buffer591c2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #sumo #bashoreports #terunofuji #newyeargrandsumotournament #kotonowaka #kirishima
Terunofuji beats Kotonowaka, creating three-way tie for lead

The Mongolian-born grand champion moved into a three-way tie at 11-2 with sekiwake Kotonowaka and ozeki Kirishima with the win.

The Japan Times
Kotonowaka took a step toward his first career championship and promotion to the second-highest rank by retaining the sole lead on the 12th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/01/25/sumo/basho-reports/kotonowaka-11th-win/?utm_content=buffer99520&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #sumo #bashoreports #newyeargrandsumotournament #kotonowaka
Kotonowaka inches toward first championship with 11th win

Kotonowaka, who is chasing the 13 wins he likely needs here for promotion, had little trouble securing his 11th against Onosho.

The Japan Times
Promotion-seeking sekiwake Kotonowaka retained sole possession of first place Wednesday at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament as he comfortably took care of rank-and-file opponent Oho. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/01/24/sumo/basho-reports/kotonowaka-terunofuji-basho/?utm_content=buffer5067d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #sumo #bashoreports #kotonowaka #terunofuji #newyeargrandsumotournament
Kotonowaka stays in lead as Terunofuji and ozeki pair keep pace

The 26-year-old inched closer to both a maiden Emperor's Cup and the wins needed to meet the unofficial ozeki promotion benchmark.

The Japan Times