Kotonowaka's promotion to Ozeki guaranteed: “I want to be cool”

Sekiwake Kotonowaka, who competed for the championship in his first Grand Sumo tournament and had a good record of 13 wins and 2 losses, was guaranteed to be promoted to ozeki, held a press conference and said, ``Ozeki is a position that I have thought is cool since I was a child, so "I want to be a presence," he expressed his determination.

Although Kotonowaka lost to Yokozuna Terunofuji in the championship deciding match at Senshuuraku in his first tournament, and missed out on his first championship, he had a good record of 13 wins and 2 losses, and his total of wins from the last three tournaments in which he played as Sanyaku is Ozeki. I reached the score of 33, which is considered the standard for promotion.

The Japan Sumo Association has decided to hold an extraordinary board meeting on the 31st for promotion to ozeki, and Kotonowaka's promotion is certain.

On the 29th, one night after Senshu Raku, Kotonowaka held a press conference at Sadogatake stable in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and said, ``My feeling of regret is stronger for being the last one to lose in the championship match, but I was an ozeki when I was little. "I've always thought it was a cool position, so I want to be in that position," he said frankly.

Regarding his first 15 days at the tournament, he said, ``Before the tournament, there was some talk that there was a possibility of me being promoted to ozeki, but I knew that if I continued to improve my winnings and content, I would be able to get a call. It wasn't me who decided, but the result, and I was able to do it by focusing on the most important thing that day without even thinking about it.''

He added, ``I don't want to end up as an ozeki, so I'm going to aim for one more level.While having a strong sense of responsibility and tension, I'm going to lift up the wrestlers in the room and create an atmosphere and environment where everyone can aim for the top.'' He expressed his enthusiasm.

Voices of joy in my hometown of Matsudo, Chiba

Kotonowaka's promotion to Ozeki was confirmed, and there was an outpouring of joy in his hometown of Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture.

A woman in her 80s said, ``I was watching yesterday thinking I was going to win, but I was disappointed.For me, he's like my grandson, so I watched it with that feeling.He's a sumo family that has been in Matsudo for three generations. I hope you will continue to do your best,'' he said.

A woman in her 60s said, ``I found out about her on the Kesa news. I didn't know she was from Matsudo, but I'm happy and encouraged that such a person came from Matsudo.'' .

A man in his 70s said, ``I always look forward to watching it.When I watched it yesterday, I could feel the difference in power between him and the yokozuna, but from now on, that's all I'm looking forward to: becoming a yokozuna.''

A man in his 20s said, ``When I see the sumo wrestlers in Sadogatake stable on TV, I feel happy because I see them working hard.When Kotoshogiku was promoted, it was also exciting.I was asked to be careful not to get injured. If we win and have a triumphant parade in Matsudo, I'll go see it.''

Matsudo Chiba: The president of a restaurant that I have known since childhood.

The president of a Japanese restaurant in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, who has known Kotonowaka since he was a child, was delighted that his promotion to ozeki was secured and cheered him on to his first victory.

Tomoko Inagawa, president of the Japanese restaurant ``Kappo Shinota'' in Tanakashinden, Matsudo City, is close to the previous master, whose parents are Kotonowaka's grandfather, and has also interacted with her father, the current master Sadogatake. That means there is.

In the past, the whole family used to go on trips together, and while looking at a photo of Kotonowaka as a child, she said, ``He was bigger than a normal baby.From that time on, he was calm and didn't cry.'' There was no such thing as making a fuss," he recalled.

He also said that he sent a make-up bag to the new makuuchi, saying, ``The current place was closed on the first day. I had promised to give him a gift," he said.

Regarding his promotion to ozeki, he said, ``He is a person who has been working very hard on a daily basis, so it means that his efforts have paid off, and although I think he is still at a passing point, I am so happy that I can cry.He is not injured and is doing well. I would like to advance to the tournament, win the championship next time, and have a parade in my hometown of Matsudo.''