Kotooshu Intai

[kuroimori 1,634]

Just briefly announced during the NHK broadcast that Kotooshu has retired. Details to come later.

[Kintamayama 45,086]

"I have reached the limit of my strength and willpower," he said. He will remain in the Kyokai and will be known as Kotooushuu Oyakata and has recently acquired Japanese citizenship.

[Mark.Buckton 68]

complete about face from his early years in his staying.

[yorikiried by fate 2,027]

I will now go to the kitchen and eat a Yoghurt of Remembrance. (Vanilla flavoured.)

He was a good wrestler to have around. Especially when he was still the occasional Yokozuna-slayer.

[sekihiryu 51]

Yep, go out with your last ever battle against one of the all time greats.

I reckon he'll look good with short hair. I wish him all the best in his Oyakata endeavours.

[Akinomaki 40,413]

Intai press conference

NHK news7 (hidden) video:
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20140320/k10013127771000.html

an interesting sumo commentator about Kotooshu 2 days ago (more about other rikishi in the same playlist)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMcfVclMyjM&list=PLpiKdf_4YLHTIWpBWiW_7yRU6fltvmtra

Edited March 20, 2014 by Akinomaki

[shumitto 418]

Good, because it opens an additional Juryo spot. Will Ichinojo grab it ?

[rzombie1988 158]

Can't really feel bad about this one. He never reached his potential, he never showed full effort and he never really looked interested. He's kind of been a waste of space for the last year or so and I won't miss him. I really do find sumo retirements funny though with how people will get the same record for a while then suddenly drop to an extreme 1-14 record or something like that.

[Vikanohara 171]

Good, because it opens an additional Juryo spot. Will Ichinojo grab it ?

Wasn't it secure yet ?

[shumitto 418]

Good, because it opens an additional Juryo spot. Will Ichinojo grab it ?

Wasn't it secure yet ?

I haven't looked at the banzuke after today's or yesterday's bouts but I think the best thing about him leaving is the spot opened for Ichinojo or anyone who looks more motivated.

[Yubinhaad 11,657]

Early days. The other rikishi in shot is Arawashi, also part of Kotooshu's debut class.

[Yubinhaad 11,657]

Kotooshu-oyakata took part in a Q&A session in the sumo school today in front of 200 fans. Sekinoto-oyakata (former Komusubi Iwakiyama) was the host. Kotooshu's danpatsu-shiki will take place in the Kokugikan on October 4th.

[Masumasumasu 902]

[Akinomaki 40,413]

Kotooshu is appearing in all kind of TV programs lately: the reason shows in this one: he is anxious he might not sell all his intai-zumo tickets for the kokugikan: a rikishi has to organize the whole event it at his own cost and needs about 7000 spectators to break even.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsygm-jmr_M

He was on PR tour again in another show later today.

Edited September 2, 2014 by Akinomaki

[kuroimori 1,634]

Kotooshu is appearing in all kind of TV programs lately: the reason shows in this one: he is anxious not to sell all his intai-zumo tickets for the kokugikan: a rikishi has to organize the whole event it at his own cost and needs about 7000 spectators to break even.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsygm-jmr_M

He was on PR tour again in another show later today.

Easy solution:

Invite Endo and let him appear not only for taking a snip ;-)

[Akinomaki 40,413]

Kotooshu is appearing in all kind of TV programs lately: the reason shows in this one: he is anxious he might not sell all his intai-zumo tickets for the kokugikan

Easy solution:

Invite Endo and let him appear not only for taking a snip ;-)

Endo and the other sekitori will have their bouts before the cutting and there's other program like at a jungyo, shokkiri, drums etc.

A lottery with the winners getting carried by Endo would fill the place with female fans.

Edited September 2, 2014 by Akinomaki

[kuroimori 1,634]

Kotooshu is appearing in all kind of TV programs lately: the reason shows in this one: he is anxious not to sell all his intai-zumo tickets for the kokugikan

Easy solution:

Invite Endo and let him appear not only for taking a snip ;-)

Endo and the other sekitori will have their bouts before the cutting and there's other program like at a jungyo, shokkiri, drums etc.

A lottery with the winners getting carried by Endo would fill the place with female fans.

The times they are a-changing...

Not too long ago, Kotooshu himself would have put a full Kokugikan capacity of female fannies in the seats...

Stilk remember the "Kotooshu fever" a few years ago.

[I am the Yokozuna 193]

One would think that with his current salary for basically "jogging around a bit" he would not have any trouble to cover for any potential losses. But not selling 7,000 tickets might give him an idea what the average sumo fan thought of his years basically wasting a great potential.

[alaninjapan 18]

One would think that with his current salary for basically "jogging around a bit" he would not have any trouble to cover for any potential losses. But not selling 7,000 tickets might give him an idea what the average sumo fan thought of his years basically wasting a great potential.

I think that is extremely harsh. Kotooshu set the "first European" record in just about every category, except becomng Yokozuna. Fighting in an era of two dai-Yokozuna, it seems difficult for him to have acheived any more. If his style wasn't the most all out banzai attack, but a little more thoughtful, then I don't think thats something to hang him with. Well played on a great career, reaching about number 3 in the world rankings and claiming a major title.

[Shitamachi 21]

"If his style wasn't the most all out banzai attack, but a little more thoughtful, then I don't think thats something to hang him with. "

Definitely agree! He didn't have explosive energy of someone like Oosunarashi but his sumo was very enjoyable to watch. Almost chess-like. He was very in touch with his own abilities and will make a fine oyakata.

Are there any details on when the intai-zumo will be? Couldn't find information in English and not sure if it's been announced yet. Pardon if I'm being an idiot.

[Asashosakari 19,306]

Are there any details on when the intai-zumo will be? Couldn't find information in English and not sure if it's been announced yet. Pardon if I'm being an idiot.

It's on October 4th at the Kokugikan.

[Shitamachi 21]

It's on October 4th at the Kokugikan.

Awesome. Thanks so much.

[inhashi 2,363]

http://kotooshu.com/

http://www.jtbbwt.com/funabashi/kotoshu/

links to the actual event should you be in Tokyo. tickets look to be be handled via pia or jtb through an application process. btw...you can of course read this site with an automatic translator in your language settings. sorry, forgot about that.

Edited September 10, 2014 by inhashi

[Shitamachi 21]

Thanks all for the info- clearly I was not looking hard enough.

Swung by the Sumo Hakubutsukan today for the "100 people yusho" exhibit (fun if compact, but worth a visit if you're in Tokyo) and they had a nice poster up for it. Thought it might be of interest.

[Yubinhaad 11,657]

Kotooshu took part in another Q&A session in the classroom of the sumo school yesterday. A few pictures and a video.

Gyoji Kimura Kenjiro - who also participated in the dohyo matsuri - acted as compère.

As a special treat, Kenjiro took the role of a tate gyoji and called up Hakuho and Kotooshu as though they were about to compete in a senshuraku musubi-no-ichiban.

Commemorative picture with tarento Chika Yamane.

And with Kimura Kenjiro.

And if you're so inclined, you can see the entire hour-long session in this video. Kenjiro's musubi-no-ichiban performance takes place at around the 58-minute mark.