Borisov: Kotooshu Bulgarian, EU Ambassador to Japan

(L-R) Bulgarian Culture Minsiter Rashidov, PM Borisov, Economy Minister Traikov, and Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kotooshu shown smashing sake kegs at a reception in the Bulgarian Embassy in Tokyo. Photo by Council of Ministers

The Bulgarian government delegation completed its four-day visit in Japan with traditional rituals in the presence of Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kaloyan Mahlyanov, aka Kotooshu.

Kotooshu, who is the highest-ranking European sumo wrestler in Japan to date, attended the reception in the Bulgarian Embassy in Japan honoring the visit of Bulgarian Prime Minister Borisov, Economy Minister Traikov, Foreign Minister Mladenov, Agriculture Minister Naydenov, and Culture Minister Rashidov.

Borisov and his ministers as well as Kotooshu smashed a keg of Japanese sake during the reception, and had a Japanese chef prepare for them sushi out of 108-kg, 2-meter-long salmon.

The sake kegs and the salmon was presented for the reception of Bulgarian state delegation by Bulgaria's Honorary Consul in Japan Fukuoka Shinichi Munemasa. According to Bulgaria's Ambassador to Japan Lyubomir Todorov, the embassy and the Foreign Ministry did not spend anything on the reception, BTA reported.

Bulgaria's PM Borisov paid special attention to Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kotooshu, who has the rank of ozeki in Japan, the second highest in the sumo.

"Sumo is an imperial sport, the most popular sport in Japan, and Kotooshu is the ambassador of Bulgaria and the EU in Japan. We are proud we have people like him who promote our country," Borisov said pointing out that Kotooshu and the Bulgarian yogurt are Bulgaria's two trademarks in Japan.

"Wherever we went in Japan, at every single meeting – the Crown Prince, the PM, the big business – all of our meetings started with a mention of Kotooshu and ended with a mention of the Bulgarian yogurt," declared the Bulgarian PM.

"Everybody says that you are not just the best but also the most attractive sumo wrestler," Borisov told Kotooshu during the reception in his typical style.

Earlier on Tuesday, Borisov presented the Cup of the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria to the winner in the January sumo tournament in Japan, yokozuna Hakuho.

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