Kotoshogiku retires

[since_94 650]

The man is an institution. He will be sorely missed on the dohyo. Hard to imagine not seeing him in tournaments.

 

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3e3cdc486f66b0d828bef77b50b65ab28f397d74?fbclid=IwAR14Di35m9ydupKUmoR7aYK5Z26wUbirArOqpFaIv-qpYVfNMTryzKXE71M

[Eikokurai 3,437]

Just saw this on Twitter. Sad, of course, to see such a great figure depart, but also for the best. He’s earned a rest.

[Kishinoyama 593]

Just now, since_94 said:

The man is an institution. He will be sorely missed on the dohyo. Hard to imagine not seeing him in tournaments.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3e3cdc486f66b0d828bef77b50b65ab28f397d74?fbclid=IwAR14Di35m9ydupKUmoR7aYK5Z26wUbirArOqpFaIv-qpYVfNMTryzKXE71M

I am sad to see him retire but I was really surprised that he did not retire when he knew he was going to be demoted to Juryo. 

[Kirishima 3]

Kotoshogiku was one of the first wrestlers I had an immediate affinity for because of his signature style. To see him leave sumo, however imminent it was still feels like an impossibility. I truly only have the best hopes for him, and I am sure he can be proud of his career. 

[Yamanashi 3,836]

I remember when Narutobeya first began at its old location ("the garage") and Naruto had his old teammate Kotoshogiku come over and give them a pep talk and advice on training.  What a class act.

[Reonito 1,445]

When you get yorikiried by Chiyonoo...

[CT3* 331]

 

Not wholly unexpected, but still a bit sad. I kinda thought he would retire after he failed to regain his Ozeki rank, but he battled on. Then I thought he might retire when he got demoted to Juryo, but he battled on. Seeing him struggle in Juryo was a bit disheartening to watch. When I came back to watching Sumo, he was already an Ozeki along with Baruto, Harumafuji, Kotooshu and then Kisenosato. This definitely feels like an end to a certain era. I'll always remember his bumpety-bump Sumo and wish him the best!

[WAKATAKE 2,655]

A fond memory I have of Kotoshogiku was watching him win the yusho with my parents. Can't remember the last time that my mom had been interested in watching sumo. Sad to see him go and he will be missed. Needless to say he's had one remarkable career.

[Eikokurai 3,437]

In honour of the man, I will gaburi-yori the first Japanese person I see today and hope they’ve seen the news to understand why.

[Fukuyamada 42]

He really gave everything that he had left in him this Basho. Immense heart and spirit.

[Tiger Tanaka 225]

In his last match, the crowd cheered a little louder than you would expect given the reduced crowd size during juryo matches. While I couldn't see on camera, I was wondering if he did the big back stretch one last time, does anyone know?

My fondest memory of him is not from a match, but from when I visited Tokyo and watched the wrestlers walking into the kokugikan. There was a little boy who Kotoshogiku gave a handshake too and his trademark smile, talking to the little boy before entering the arena. Always seemed like a very genuine and friendly guy. Thanks for all the great memories and matches Kotoshogiku, what a great career!

[yohcun 401]

His yusho is one of my fondest sumo memories. It must be even more special to the Japanese public.

Otsukaresama, Ozeki. I look forward to your OB sumo bout with Araiso.

2 hours ago, Tiger Tanaka said:

In his last match, the crowd cheered a little louder than you would expect given the reduced crowd size during juryo matches. While I couldn't see on camera, I was wondering if he did the big back stretch one last time, does anyone know?

It appears he did.

 

Edited November 14, 2020 by yohcun

[since_94 650]

So cool he did his stretch for his last bout. He’d obviously decided. Would’ve been a huge tell for all who saw it and were familiar with his history.

[Benihana 1,929]

Who's next? Shohozan or Ikioi?

[themistyseas 242]

10 minutes ago, Benihana said:

Who's next? Shohozan or Ikioi?

It would certainly be nice in the case of Ikioi if he could find a way to hang in there until March, if the Kyokai continues to make progress towards an Osaka basho with fans.

For me, that's because the only thing I find truly sad about Kotoshogiku's retirement is that due to the pandemic it couldn't come this basho in front of his home crowd (I also somewhat regret that his final stretch wasn't in front of the "prime time" cameras, even if it was a great easter egg for the rest of us).

[RabidJohn 1,771]

10 hours ago, Kishinoyama said:

I am sad to see him retire but I was really surprised that he did not retire when he knew he was going to be demoted to Juryo. 

I was too, but lately I've been wondering if it was political. Kotoshogiku staying on the banzuke kept Takatoriki's son out of juryo - so was he asked to delay his intai by his soon-to-be peers in the NSK?

Takatoriki isn't doing his kids any favours with that YT channel of his, but this really smacks to me of the son being... let's say 'disadvantaged' rather than 'punished' for the sins of the father.

I was a fan of Kotoshogiku and I wish him well in his new career, but for me there's a shadow over his departure from the active ranks.

[Swami 245]

The end to a long and distinguished career, here's hoping Kotoshogiku becomes successful in this new stage of his career.

Changing of the guard very much under way, the two Yokozuna must surely be amongst the next to retire (along with Shohozan and Ikioi,).  But equally somebody, Takakeisho, Asanoyama, Takanosho, needs to make a concerted drive for further promotion.  Perhaps the leader of the new guard hasn't put in an appearance yet, who knows?

 

Swami

[Seiyashi 4,075]

46 minutes ago, RabidJohn said:

I was too, but lately I've been wondering if it was political. Kotoshogiku staying on the banzuke kept Takatoriki's son out of juryo - so was he asked to delay his intai by his soon-to-be peers in the NSK?

Takatoriki isn't doing his kids any favours with that YT channel of his, but this really smacks to me of the son being... let's say 'disadvantaged' rather than 'punished' for the sins of the father.

I was a fan of Kotoshogiku and I wish him well in his new career, but for me there's a shadow over his departure from the active ranks.

Nah, I think this is reading too much into it. Kotoshogiku was probably holding out for both Kyushu and being able to make an immediate return to makuuchi to continue for one more year, but then came up short with a 1-6 record in the first week alone. You can't help but read the writing on the wall if your nose is a second away from making bloody contact.

[dada78641 884]

RIP (retire in peace) to a real one.

[dada78641 884]

Kotoshogiku was always right at the top of my list of wrestlers I'd like to meet. In everything I've ever seen of him he just seems like such a cool and laid back guy.

There's some fun videos of him training online too:

琴奨菊関、お疲れ様でした！

Edited November 14, 2020 by dada78641

[mikawa 1,794]

A chrysanthemum retired last year, a chrysanthemum retires this year. Otsukare-sama deshita, Kotoshogiku!

[Seiyashi 4,075]

I sort of wish Chiyonoo had taken the hint and given Kotoshogiku one last win, since reperforming the Bauer made it clear Kotoshogiku was making his farewells. Then again, considering the Japanese mentality, maybe a good fight ending in defeat would have been sufficient.

[Philioyamfugi 378]

A great ambassador for sumo, a fan favorite and we will miss him. 

 

[code_number3 698]

Good old times, Kotoshogiku (and more of the guys) visited Indonesia in 2013. He also met then-governor of Jakarta (now president of Indonesia)

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/topic/30686-jakarta-jungyo/?do=findComment&comment=246608

[Kintamayama 45,082]

Well.. I spent a week with him and the other Sadogatake lads- him and Kotomitsuki were really loose and cool.