Champion Kotoshogiku Overwhelmed GP Hakuho to Lead Spring Sumo Tourney

Four more days go in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, the Kokugikan roared today over a major upset as Champion Kotoshogiku daringly forced Grand Champion out of the ring on the 11th day of the tourney.

Both were matched 10-0 in their top forms for the last bout of the day. As they rose up for initial challenges, Koto was quick to thrust his right arm, lifted int high and kept pushing forward, his huge belly bouncing on to force Grand Champion straight out of the ring. 

Koto knows no other trick but to force his bulging belly on - popularly known as "Gaburi Yori" and has constantly been tactful for 10 straight days without a loss - the longest winning streak. His victory over Hakuho today has his winning streak renewed.

Sumo is currently dominated by Mongolians right up to the grand champions and no Japanese has won the title for over a decade. Koto's advance this far this time is a rare and encouraging chance for a Japanese to reign as champion for the first time in ten years. That's quite something.

Of course, we all know that Mongol is another country where Sumo is a national sport. In fact, the Mongolian Sumo remains a wild, athletic sport while the Japanese counterpart has long been a half-ritual exercise where physical contest is blended with Shinto flavors, if you will - hence, the Championship Cup is a gift from the Emperor.

Back to the tournament, Koto has already met and defeated another Grand Champion Kakuryu. He will face tomorrow the last Grand Champion Harumafuji, another formidable foe standing in his way to the championship this tourney. Haru is fast and clever and may find a way to block Koto's gaburi yori. 

That said, Koto's eagerness to win through this tourney and to reach the Cup for the first time in 10 years will hopefully help him outwrestle Haru.