{
  "id": 5952098,
  "title": "Sumo: Kotoeiho eyes promotion to elite rank with strong Autumn meet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/sumo-kotoeiho-eyes-promotion-to-elite-rank-with-strong-autumn-meet",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-06T09:07:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260906/p2g/00m/0sp/053000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Kotoeiho has expressed his ambition to climb the ranks of sumo by delivering a strong performance as a career-best No. 1 maegashira during the upcoming Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. The 23-year-old wrestler, currently just below the fourth-highest rank of komusubi, achieved an 11-4 record during the previous match in Nagoya in July. Kotoeiho acknowledged that there are both positive and negative aspects but emphasized his commitment to thorough preparation. Following a string of three successive losses to fellow rank-and-file wrestler Gonoyama (ranked No. 3 maegashira), Kotoeiho vowed to give his all and aim for multiple victories in the upcoming 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. A stellar record during this month could potentially elevate Kotoeiho to the third-highest rank of sekiwake for the Kyushu meet in November. Meanwhile, fellow ozeki Kotozakura demonstrated good form, winning 14 out of 19 practice bouts. Despite not participating in practice bouts during last month's regional tour due to left ankle pain, Kotozakura reassured, \"There's no problem with my left leg. I'll do my best as usual.\" The 28-year-old, just below grand champion yokozuna, is aiming for his first double-digit win since March, having only reached the 10-win mark once since securing his first top-division title in November 2024.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Kotoeiho said Sunday he aims to earn promotion to one of sumo's elite ranks by performing strongly as a career-high No. 1 maegashira",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}