Sumo

Final Tournament at Kokugikan. Bolgarian wrestler, Kotooshu wins the final match of the tournament. Bow twirling ceremony to be performed by the sekitori, Ohga.

Tradition has it that the bow twirling ceremony was first performed back in 1791 by Yokozuna Tanikaze after he defeated fellow Yokozuna Onogawa in front of the the 11th generation Shogun of the Edo period, Tokugawa Iyasu. In 1952, it became common practice for the ceremony to take place at the end of each day during a tournament. Since then, 31 rikishi have performed the ceremony, and Ohga is the only fifth one to obtain sekitori status. "I was aware of the yumi-tori jinx where none of the rikishi ever attained any greatness, so at first I didn't want to do it. But as a Makushita rikishi, you never get the chance to stand and perform in front of such a large audience. I realize the important job it is now."

The Yokozuna, Hakuho who became the fourth youngest rikishi ever at 21 years and 2 months to win the Emperor's Cup, performs the winning dance, the Yumitori shiki.
Hakuho and Miyabiyama post-basho comments
With his first career yusho at the Natsu basho, Hakuho became the fourth youngest rikishi ever at 21 years and 2 months to win the Emperor's Cup. After a night of celebrating, television appearances, and making the rounds to personally thank his supporters (the ones who give the stable money), he held a press conference Monday morning. "I only got three hours of sleep," he explained. "Even now I still have to think to myself did I really yusho. " Hakuho happily recalled the words of his father before the two retired for the evening Sunday night, "My father said that when Miyabiyama's foot stepped out that he could recall it as if in slow motion." Hakuho also revealed a bit of his phone conversation with his mother, "She was crying and said that should would come see my right away if she could. I was so happy." Hakuho will next challenge for the Yokozuna rank in July, "My first goal as on Ozeki was to win a yusho. Now that I've accomplished that, there's only one thing to aim for now. I'm confident that I can win two in a row. It will be tough to manage my condition in the summer heat, but I will perform serious keiko and do my best." Hakuho is the first rikishi from the Miyagino-beya to yusho in 91 years. No one has ever been promoted to Yokozuna after their first two basho as an Ozeki since the sport switched to the six basho per year format. Eight former rikishi have taken the yusho in their first basho as Ozeki with the most recent being Tochiazuma in Hatsu 2002.

Sekiwake Miyabiyama commented on his loss to Hakuho in the playoff to determine the yusho winner, "My thrusts just slipped off of his body, which was covered in sweat. I lost that bout the moment that he stopped my attack and grabbed my belt. I think Hakuho prolonged that bout to make sure that his feet would not slip." Miyabiyama shed tears afterwards, but stressed that they were tears of joy.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• sumo
• japan
• tokyo
• Hakuho
• Kotooshu

[xxxqwertxxx]

very ritualistic.

[bihlbo]

Part of appreciating sumo is understanding why they do what they do. Read up a little on the sport and ceremony. When it comes to watching sumo matches, part of the enjoyment is the anticipation and the stark contrast between the peaceful purifying rituals in which they engage and the sudden, massive explosion of violence when the match starts.

[Jumpinjahosafa]

Ohhh are they going to wrestle? ohh oh oh no..

Ohh maybe this time ohhh ohh!! oh no..

Ohhh this time?! YES THEY'RE WREST- wtf? its over?

[grannman]

Only about 10 seconds of this video are worth watching!

[uzbro1]

man that was shit

[dcr3]

I want 4:18 of my life back

[Chforklan]

KOTOOSHU GLEDA LOSHO !!!

[collectivescott2]

What's with all the false starts?

[alalalz]

plz help me the vedio isnot work

[pavelshterev]

Kotooshu is the best !!! The best European SUMO wrestler ewer!!! RESPECT !!!