Kotooshu

[Washuyama 641]

Just a thought.. It seems to me that Kotooshu is good enough to make yokozuna, but it seems to me it's easier and alot less stressful to stay ozeki. As an ozeki, he can have the occassional yusho with all the accolades and fame, but can relax if he wants. The 8-7/9-6 keeps the spotlight off and he can pretty much relax. Once you make yokozuna, the pressure and spotlight is always on. Although it's still too early to say, I'm thinking the same goes for Harumafuji. His keiko stories wouldn't bode well for a yokozuna. Just thinking out loud.... sort of..

[Harry 67]

Promotion is a double-edged sword in ozumo, as everywhere else I guess. With the perks come additional responsibilities, more scrutiny, and so on. As in real life the danger comes when you are promoted to a position where you are not quite competent. Can be safer to lie low at least until you're ready.

[Asashosakari 19,669]

Promotion is a double-edged sword in ozumo, as everywhere else I guess. With the perks come additional responsibilities, more scrutiny, and so on. As in real life the danger comes when you are promoted to a position where you are not quite competent. Can be safer to lie low at least until you're ready.

Yes, while Ozumo generally avoids the Peter Principle by freely allowing both for promotions and demotions, that's of course not true for the yokozuna rank. To a lesser degree also the ozeki rank, but the stigma of "demoted ozeki" is arguably much less severe than that of "unsuccessful yokozuna".

I'm probably not the only one who has trouble envisioning Kotoshu as a steadily credible yokozuna, which would require him to post 12+ wins pretty much every basho. A good point of reference might be Onokuni, perhaps the prototype for an ozeki who had that brief true-talent window of opportunity for becoming yokozuna, and actually ended up making it. I'm generally in the "having more yokozuna is good for the sport and hard-line insistence on consecutive yusho before promotion is misguided" camp, but it's a tricky double-edged sword indeed.

Edited July 22, 2009 by Asashosakari

[kaiguma 0]

I'm probably not the only one who has trouble envisioning Kotoshu as a steadily credible yokozuna, which would require him to post 12+ wins pretty much every basho. A good point of reference might be Onokuni, perhaps the prototype for an ozeki who had that brief true-talent window of opportunity for becoming yokozuna, and actually ended up making it. I'm generally in the "having more yokozuna is good for the sport and hard-line insistence on consecutive yusho before promotion is misguided" camp, but it's a tricky double-edged sword indeed.

So you are in a fence-sitting position on this one:

Adapting slightly more inclusive criteria for yokozuna promotion, Tochiazuma should have retired as a Yokozuna?

I guess I am also assuming that achieving rollover minutes would be a credible launching point for loose promotion?

And speaking of rollover minutes and Harumafuji who was also mentioned, no one at all has said the rollover word with regard to his 3rd loss... what if he gets JY? I personally think the atmosphere is such that no one will discuss a rollover scenario, but you never know what people may say after the last 4 days - especially if he defeats both yokozuna, and essentially everyone left in the yusho race that he hasn't faced already.

[maxim 0]

I think it'd be a lot less stressful if he was promoted to Yokozuna. He could have that operation on his knee and skip two-three tournaments without being demoted.

[sekihiryu 51]

I think for him it would a case of " be careful what you wish for you just might get it"

As for taking of a few basho for a knee op - ask Takanohana how that thoery goes..... You lose fitness and match shape and to then return cold to the top of the pyramid after 6 months is a beyond herculean effort and doomed to fail.

If you want an op - I think the only way to do it is to drop down the banzuke and work you way back up. Very few drop down like that especially not those accustomed to the perks of Ozekihood.

I think sumo needs a "surgery rule" instituted

Ozeki can can have surgery - rehab and came back at the bottom of Makuuchi. If they are good enough they can claw their way back up.

Other Joi jin can drop to low Juryo.

Lower makuuchi guys can drop to Makushita 10. Juryo guys can drop to the bottom of makushita.

I am curious if such a rule existed how many guys would fix major knee injuries - i.e Aminishiki, Asasekiryu, Kasugao, Baruto, Kotooshu et al.

P.s what exactly is wrong with his knee? I know he dislocated in training, but does he also have ligament damage?

[maxim 0]

He has ligament damage, but it's not as serious as Takanohana's injury. Someone suggested that full recovery would take 6 months, while Takanohana skipped a whole year. I agree with the surgery rule idea.

[Kintamayama 45,534]

Kotooushuu has received a prize from his government, it has been announced. "The Highest Order of Merit" or something along those lines (Stala Prania award? Something like that). The award ceremony will be held in the middle of next week in Sophia. Osh will be going home with his fiance.

[salle 11]

(Stala Prania award? Something like that)

"Stara Planina Order" is the highest Bulgarian award nowadays.

It is named after major Bulgarian mountain dividing the country into north and south parts. "Stara planina" Literally means "old mountain". The old name of the mountain Balkan gives the name of Balkan peninsula and Balkans region.

I'm wondering how Old Mountain would be in Japanese and if there is some rikishi with such or similar shikona.

Edited July 24, 2009 by salle

[Doitsuyama 1,192]

I'm wondering how Old Mountain would be in Japanese and if there is some rikishi with such or similar shikona.

That would be Furuyama (normal surname actually), but their never has been a rikishi with that name to my knowledge.

[Sashohitowa 6]

I am not in position to give any oppinions when it comes to Japanese language, but still:

I think that the meaning of 高 (taka) should be again "old", but also "high" and "senior" - what I believe that can be quite suitable for the specific example of the Balkan mountains.

There has been 4 rikishi using the shikona Takayama - in all cases coming from their given name.

[Sasanishiki 57]

Kotooushuu has received a prize from his government, it has been announced. "The Highest Order of Merit" or something along those lines

According to my google searches, the Order of Stara Planina is presented "for exceptional contributions to the Republic of Bulgaria, or to international co-operation." It is awarded with or without a ribbon, and when awarded without a ribbon it is presented in two classes (1st class and 2nd class) and in civil and military divisions. The article that I saw made no mention of whether Kotooshu was being awarded with or without a ribbon (or class if without a ribbon). The Order of Stara Planina was instituted on July 15 1994, based on the former Order of Stara Planina (I know, that just sounds like a make-over for the new post-Communist age).

It seems often to be awarded to politicians and statesmen, although also to actors, writers and academics. In the sporting field, it has previously been awarded to Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski to mark their achievements as back-to-back Ice Dancing World Champions in 2006 and 2007. Only a few months after receiving the award, however, Staviski was involved in a drink driving accident where he caused the death of a man and severely injured a woman. Let us hope that Kotooshu is not beset by a similar problem.

[Sashohitowa 6]

Kotooushuu has received a prize from his government, it has been announced. "The Highest Order of Merit" or something along those lines

According to my google searches, the Order of Stara Planina is presented "for exceptional contributions to the Republic of Bulgaria, or to international co-operation." It is awarded with or without a ribbon, and when awarded without a ribbon it is presented in two classes (1st class and 2nd class) and in civil and military divisions. The article that I saw made no mention of whether Kotooshu was being awarded with or without a ribbon (or class if without a ribbon). The Order of Stara Planina was instituted on July 15 1994, based on the former Order of Stara Planina (I know, that just sounds like a make-over for the new post-Communist age).

It seems often to be awarded to politicians and statesmen, although also to actors, writers and academics. In the sporting field, it has previously been awarded to Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski to mark their achievements as back-to-back Ice Dancing World Champions in 2006 and 2007. Only a few months after receiving the award, however, Staviski was involved in a drink driving accident where he caused the death of a man and severely injured a woman. Let us hope that Kotooshu is not beset by a similar problem.

The Order of Stara Planina has the following variations: "With ribbon", "2nd grade" and "1st grade". 2nd and 1st grade can be with swords, if the receiver is a military person. Kotooshu has been awarded with Stara Planina 1st grade.

Besides Staviyski, among the other Bulgarian sportsmen received the order are Hristo Bonev, Rumyana Neykova, Yanko Rusev and the National Football team from USA'94. None of them has been convicted for a crime so far, so let's hope that Kotooshu will also stay out of trouble.

[salle 11]

According to my google searches, the Order of Stara Planina is presented "for exceptional contributions to the Republic of Bulgaria, or to international co-operation." ... The article that I saw made no mention of whether Kotooshu was being awarded with or without a ribbon (or class if without a ribbon).

From what I read he is nominated for the order, but not awarded yet. He is supposed to come back to Bulgaria next week and receive the award from the president of the republic. The most official source - so called State Gazette says "1st class", but nothing about ribbon.

The Order of Stara Planina was instituted on July 15 1994, based on the former Order of Stara Planina (I know, that just sounds like a make-over for the new post-Communist age).

The first Order of Stara Planina was instituted on 4th August 1966 and was awarded to foreigners only. 15th of July 1994 was when it was awarded to Bulgarian citizens for first time.

It seems often to be awarded to politicians and statesmen, although also to actors, writers and academics. In the sporting field, it has previously been awarded to Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski ...

Many sportsmen are awarded with this order. In 2009 alone there are about five or six so far. The first 27 Bulgarians to receive it back in 1994 were football players and coaches.

[Mockingbird 0]

Sasanishiki wrote:Only a few months after receiving the award, however, Staviski was involved in a drink driving accident where he caused the death of a man and severely injured a woman. Let us hope that Kotooshu is not beset by a similar problem.

Regardless of nationality, to athletes honours are presented for professional accomplishments. I am convinced that when individual shortcomings would be taken into account, about 90 percent of all honours should have never been awarded or had to be revoked.

In my country high honours are almost routinely given to successful alpine skiers and ski jumpers - yet some of them were already convicted felons then. Usually, in some way, alcohol was involved.

The sad truth is that athletes get those medals pinned on them by politicians in front of TV cameras, thus serving their causes.

Athletes do not receive honours for their personality or their integrity.

To pick up on an order that was mentioned:

I was involved with the Austrian team that featured one of the cornerstones of the

Edited July 24, 2009 by Mockingbird

[Kintamayama 45,534]

Kotooushuu left for Bulgaria with his fiance and will attend the ceremony today, the 28th.

Edited July 27, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,534]

The Order of Stara Planina was awarded to Kotooushuu today. "I would like to praise his excellent achievements in Japan. He has brought the ties between Bulgaria and Japan closer", said the President. "I am really thrilled to receive my country's prestigious award. This has made my joining sumo worthwhile, and will be an incentive to me in the future!", said Kotooushuu.

[aderechelsea 125]

if Kotooshu is strategically avoiding becoming a Yokozuna then he is due to more credit by me for his abilities and intelligence.

Avoiding getting into the spotlight of yokozuna can lenghthen one's carrer by a lot (Taikai? Kaio?) and provide you with enough money and enough time to spend it. If i was a professional sumo wrestler of his level i think i would chose the same thing. I would just win every other yusho and look sad when the YDC said i am not doing enough or that i am not consistent enough. Then i would go to a bar and get a few drinks without thinking about the paparazzi stalking me all the time.

But that strategy requires the ability to win a tournament every now and then so that when you actually want to get the promotion, you can make it happen.

sadly that is not the case with Kotooshu. He's got just one yusho and that's pretty much it. He get's into "the zone" from time to time and makes us all wonder if he will make a good yokozuna but let's face it ... he exits that same "zone" as easily as Asashoryu leaves Japan to go to Mongolia.

[Sashohitowa 6]

To add some pictures:

© Gong.bg

Kotooshu with the president of Bulgaria, his wife, the order (without ribbon) and the Japanese ambassador.

In front of the presidency - with Petar Stoyanov (to his right) and his father to his left.

With everybody

A picture on "Independency" square - funny one for a newly married man...

© Georgi Kozhuharov for dnevnik.bg:

Kotooshu's wife and the Headless Order-bearer

Tribute to Dejima/The funny little bags are quite popular amongs the rikishi.

The other news from yesterday were related to other potential Bulgarian sumo-prospects that Kotooshu was supposed to meet and talk. The wrestlers mentioned were Ivan Kachkov and Mihail Iliev which already has been set up to train with the Tokio University (where Aoiyama caught the eye of Tagonoura), and also the 16-years old Martin Borisov, who, allegedly has a good potential.

[Zentoryu 154]

Wow... she's fairly attractive. :-(

Osh did good for himself in that department.

[Sasanishiki 57]

With everybody

The lady on the extreme right of the photo is Liliana Kaneva, President of the Bulgarian Sumo Federation and vice-president of teh European Sumo Union. The gentleman on the extreme left is also an official of the Bulgarian Sumo Federation, Nikolay Dimitrov.

[Pippooshu 1]

Congratulations to Kotooshu for his stara planina and...his wife! She is very nice.

[salle 11]

Kotooshu with the president of Bulgaria, his wife, the order (without ribbon) and the Japanese ambassador.

Wife? Are you sure about this? His wedding was supposed to happen in February 2010.

[ryafuji 815]

Kotooshu with the president of Bulgaria, his wife, the order (without ribbon) and the Japanese ambassador.

Wife? Are you sure about this? His wedding was supposed to happen in February 2010.

Presumably it's the President's wife that's being referred to.

[Sashohitowa 6]

Kotooshu with the president of Bulgaria, his wife, the order (without ribbon) and the Japanese ambassador.

Wife? Are you sure about this? His wedding was supposed to happen in February 2010.

Well, no... I am not sure.. I know that the wedding is announced for feb 2011, however I assumed that it refers to the wedding ceremony. But my impression is that when it comes to sekitori-marriages, they first "register" their marriage, then announce to the press, and the ceremony itself comes months after that.

So I made a wild guess here.