Sekiwake Kotonowaka, who last weekend came within one win of securing his first career championship at the New Year tourney, was confirmed by the Japan Sumo Association as sumo's newest ozeki wrestler.
Lone yokozuna Terunofuji and promotion-hunting sekiwake Kotonowaka head into a gripping final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in a two-way tie for the lead after improving to 12-2.
Sekiwake Kotonowaka takes a step toward his first career championship and promotion to the second-highest rank of ozeki by retaining the sole lead on the 12th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Promotion-seeking sekiwake Kotonowaka retains sole possession of first place at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, comfortably taking care of rank-and-file opponent Oho.
Sekiwake Kotonowaka remained among the leaders after the 11th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament with a win over Takakeisho on Wednesday that seriously damaged the ozeki's hopes of promotion to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna.