BULAGRIAN-born wrestler Kotooshu, with looks compared to David Beckham, has brought sex appeal to sumo wrestling.
And now the 22 year-old is on course to become the first European to win a sumo tournament in Japan.
Not only is he a novelty because of his origin, but Kotooshu is tall and unusually lean, using his physique as an asset against famously plump sumo wrestlers.
Kotooshu, real name Mahlyanov Kaloyan Stefanov, is the only undfefeated grappler in the 15-bout autumn grand sumo tournament, one of six annual championships, which ends on Sunday.
Foreigners have in recent years rapidly integrated into the 2000-year-old Japanese sport, with 59 overseas-born wrestlers now registered with the Japan Sumo Association.
But 35 of them come from Mongolia and of the 10 Europeans, Kotooshu is the only one from Bulgaria.
The best-selling Yomiuri Shimbun has dubbed him Bulgaria’s best-known export after yoghurt.
With his model-like grin and dash of chest hair, Kotooshu has been described by the Japanese media as the David Beckham of sumo, a reference to the glam boy of British football.
While Kotooshu is yet to enjoy a fan following anywhere near Beckham’s, his every bout is now being watched with close attention by the Japanese media.
Standing a 204cm and weighing 143kg, Kotooshu uses his long arms and quick footsteps for his favourite technique of “Uwatenage, “or overarm throw, to take down opponents.
He attributes his success to dedicated work.
“I study and analyse my opponents, “he said. “I practice.”
Despite his relatively trim size for sumo, Kotooshu was first drawn to the Japanese sport because of his weight.
As a teenager, he trained for Western-style wrestling and had hoped to compete in the Olympics.
But he switched his trunks for the sumo loincloth in part because he struggled to lose weight for competitions and sumo does not have weight classes.
After winning European amateur sumo tournaments, he was recruited in 2002 to join the Sadogatake stable and has since steadily climbed the ranks.
Now boasting the career record of 137 wins and 50 losses, Kotooshu was given the outstanding performance award in the July tournament for toppling Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu.
Wrestling Gear
I found this story interesting. However, i fail to see how you can have an article which’s headline is “Sumo’s Becks adds sex appeal” and talk about Kotooshu’s good looks, and then not publish a picture of the guy. I am disapointed.