New sumo ozeki Kotonowaka held a promotion report meeting at his alma mater in Saitama City and talked about his ambitions to "aim even higher."
Kotonowaka is a graduate of Saitama Sakae Junior and Senior High School, a powerhouse of sumo wrestling.In his third year of high school, he served as the captain of the sumo club and won the national high school team championship.
On the 13th, a debriefing session for his promotion to ozeki was held at a school gymnasium in Nishi Ward, Saitama City, where Kotonowaka was welcomed with loud applause by over 2,000 students.
At the ceremony, Sakurako Shirokawa, the high school's student council president, encouraged the students by saying, ``It's a great joy and a great pride for all the students. Please do your best at the spring tournament and aim for victory.''
In response, Kotonowaka talked about his aspirations, saying, ``I was able to rise to the position of ozeki. I will aim even higher, so please give me your support.'' He smiled as he received the bouquet of flowers.
The spring tournament that Kotonowaka will compete in as the new Ozeki will open on the 10th of next month at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
Kotonowaka said, ``I'm glad to be able to give a good report. It was a six-year period in which I laid a foundation, and it was because of that foundation that I was able to develop myself in the world of sumo and come back like this. I can only be grateful.'' I was talking.
In addition, Sumo club coach Michinori Yamada, who coached Kotonowaka, said, ``I want him to keep his body in shape to avoid injury.First of all, I want him to fulfill his role as an ozeki in his next tournament.''