For the first time: A European Sumo wrestler wins the emperor's cup!

Kaloyan Mahlyanov, known with his Sumo name Kotooshu, made history, For the First Time a European Wins the Emperor's Cup. Kotooshu, a Bulgarian, became the first European sumo fighter who won the Emperor's Cup after winning the 2008 May Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.

"I'm so happy," a beaming Kotooshu told Japan's NHK television after becoming the seventh foreigner to win an Emperor's Cup. "I'm speechless. I did it at last."

If Kotooshu, an ozeki ranked fighter, wins the Nagoya tournament he could rise to the esteemed rank of yokozuna. Link to IHT

25/05/2008

AKBAN Journal, Culture, Posted by Yossi Sheriff, Author:Shimi Samuel, Sumo