Bulgarian achieves ozeki status

Kotooshu becomes the first European to reach the sport's second-highest rank

TOKYO » The Japan Sumo Association said today it has awarded Bulgarian Kotooshu ozeki status, making him the fifth foreigner and first European to reach the sport's second-highest rank.

FOREIGN-BORN OZEKI » Akebono, Hawaii » Konishiki, Hawaii » Musashimaru, Hawaii » Asashoryu, Mongolia » Kotooshu, Bulgaria

JSA Elders unanimously agreed to promote the 22-year-old at a meeting this morning following Kotooshu's impressive showing in the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, which ended Sunday, where he notched 11 wins and beat grand champion Asashoryu, the association said on its Web site.

"I respectfully accept (the promotion). I will train vigorously to live up to my position as ozeki," Kotooshu said to sumo officials dispatched to his stable on the southern island of Kyushu following the meeting.

Kotooshu, or Kaloyan Mahlyanov, has appeared in 19 tournaments since his debut in November 2002, making him the quickest to reach the ozeki rank since 1958 -- when sumo switched to its current system of holding six tournaments a year -- according to Kyodo News agency.

"Moving up the rankings at such a quick pace shows he has great talent and hopefully he will try harder in order to meet everyone's expectations and become a yokozuna," Kyodo quoted JSA Chairman Kitanoumi as saying.

Kotooshu's strong showing in Kyushu added to his 12-3 and 13-2 records in the previous two tournaments.

A former European junior champion in amateur wrestling, Kotooshu follows Hawaiian-born wrestlers Konishiki (Nanakuli's Salevaa Atisanoe), Musashimaru (Waianae's Fiamalu Penitani), Akebono (Waimanalo's Chad Rowan) and Mongolian-born Asashoryu in becoming the fifth non-Japanese ozeki.

Of these, Akebono, Musashimaru and Asashoryu made it to the top rank of yokozuna. Asashoryu is currently the sport's only grand champion.