A Japanese sumo wrestler who held the rank of ozeki, known for his consistent top-division performances and winning several top-division championships. He was a stalwart of the sport for over a decade.
Kotoshgiku Kazuhiro, a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler, is renowned for being the first Japanese-born wrestler to win a top-division tournament in ten years, a feat he achieved in 2016. With a career spanning over two decades, he has made a lasting impact on the world of sumo, earning seven special prizes and winning one top-division tournament.
Born on January 30, 1984, Kazuhiro Kikutsugi, later known as Kotoshgiku Kazuhiro, was one of three brothers born to a builder in Yanagawa, Fukuoka. His interest in sumo was sparked at a young age when he attended a local sumo exhibition, where he had his picture taken with future yokozuna Takanohana.
He attended Meitoku Gijuku Junior High School, a institution known for its strong sumo program, and won a national sumo tournament in 1998, earning the title of junior high school yokozuna. He continued to hone his sumo skills at Meitoku Gijuku High School, where he was part of a club that included future sekitori Asasekiry and yokozuna Asashry, both Mongolian exchange students.
Kotoshgiku joined Sadogatake stable after graduating from high school and made his professional debut in January 2002 under the shikona of Kotokikutsugi Kazuhiro. He quickly rose through the ranks, reaching the top division in 2005.
Kotoshgiku earned seven special prizes in his career, including:
After losing his ōzeki rank in January 2017, Kotoshgiku continued to fight, becoming the oldest active sekitori in March 2020. He announced his retirement from active competition on November 14, 2020.
Kotoshgiku's dedication and perseverance have left a lasting impact on the world of sumo, inspiring future generations of sumo wrestlers to strive for excellence.
71 Years Old
A legendary sumo wrestler with a record 31 top division championships, known for his exceptional strength, technique, and dominance in the sport.
53 Years Old
A legendary sumo wrestler who held the highest rank of Yokozuna, known for his dominant career and traditional style. He won 22 top division championships and was a symbol of Japanese sumo tradition.
55 Years Old
A legendary sumo wrestler who held the highest rank of Yokozuna, known for his dominant performances and impressive career record.
45 Years Old
Mongolian sumo wrestler who held the highest rank of Yokozuna, known for his dominant career and cultural impact in Japan.
55 Years Old
A Samoan-American sumo wrestler who reached the highest rank of Yokozuna, known for his dominant career and cultural impact on the sport.
54 Years Old
A dominant force in sumo wrestling, holding the top rank of yokozuna for a record 71 tournaments and winning 12 top division championships. He is revered for his incredible strength, technique, and longevity in the sport.
