Bulgaria Sumo Wrestler Kotooshu Keeps High 2010 Ranking

Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kotooshu is pictured (r.) in 2008, on becoming the first European wrestler to win the Emperor's Cup at a Grand Sumo Tournament. Photo by BGNES

Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kaloyan Mahlyanov-Kotooshu has been placed in a ranking second only to outright championship level "Yokozuna" for the forthcoming season.

The opening tournament of 2010 “Hatsu Basho” will begin on January 10 in Tokyo, Japan. Kotooshu will enter the competition as "Ozeki", one level below the two acknowledged champions, Hakuho and Asashoyu, who share the rank of Yokozuna.

Kotooshu’s ranking has been determined by his impressive tournament record from 2009, where he registered 10 wins and 5 losses.

The 26-year-old Bulgarian from Veliko Tarnovo made his wrestling debut in 2002, reaching the top division just two years later. In 2005 he reached the rank of Ozeki or "champion". On May 24, 2008, Kotooshu made history by becoming the first European sumo wrestler to win an Emperor's Cup.

The other Bulgarian "rikishi" or sumo wrestler, Daniel Ivanov Aoyama, known as Blue Mountain, has progressed up the fourth division for 2010, following his success in the superfinal of the final tournament of 2009 in Fukuoka.

The top 10 wrestlers for the forthcoming year include four Japanese, four Mongols, and two Europeans – Bulgaria’s Kotooshu and Estonian Baruto.

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