Photo/Illutration Kotoshoho defeats Aonishiki to win his first championship on July 27 at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament held at IG Arena. (Masaaki Kobayashi)

Rank-and-filer Kotoshoho stole the spotlight in the first tournament featuring two yokozuna in four years, capturing his first top-division championship on July 27 at the newly relocated Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament held at IG Arena.

The 25-year-old Chiba Prefecture-born wrestler, whose real name is Toshiki Tebakari, defeated Aonishiki, a maegashira No. 1, on the final day to seal the Emperor’s Cup with an impressive 13-2 record.

Kotoshoho's triumph marks the first time a maegashira wrestler has won a makuuchi division tournament since Takerufuji’s surprise victory in the spring tournament last year.

Takerufuji was a maegashira No. 17, the lowest among all wrestlers in the makuuchi division.

Kotoshoho, a maegashira No. 15, enjoyed a championship run notable for his victories over opponents from the top ranks, including yokozuna, sekiwake and komusubi. He defeated newly minted yokozuna Onosato on Day 13 in a stirring showdown. 

The 190-centimeter, 167-kilogram rikishi utilized his favored migi-yotsu (right-hand inside grip) and yori (driving) techniques to overpower opponents throughout the 15-day tournament. 

Having made his professional debut in the November 2017 Kyushu tournament while still a third-year student at Saitama Sakae High School, Kotoshoho entered the top division in July 2020.

Adding to his family accomplishments, Kotoshoho's younger brother, Kotoeiho, made his top-division debut at this same tournament.

The two wrestlers, both from the Sadogatake stable, became the 13th pair of brothers in history to compete together in the makuuchi division.

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