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Kotomitsuki beaten by Asasekiryu at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Ozeki debutant Kotomitsuki (R) was forced out of the ring by Mongolian sekiwake Asasekiryu (L) for a second loss at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Sept. 14.

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Kotomitsuki beats Tokitenku at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Ozeki-debutant Kotomitsuki (back) deployed a well-timed underarm throw against No. 1 maegashira Tokitenku to bounce back from a shock defeat to Ama a day earlier on the fourth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Sept. 12.

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Kotomitsuki suffers defeat at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Newly promoted ozeki Kotomitsuki (L) is pushed out of the ring by Mongolian giant-killer Ama (R) for his first defeat on the third day of action at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 11.

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Kotomitsuki scores 2nd win at autumn tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Kotomitsuki (L) pushes out popular maegashira Homasaho at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Sept. 10, scoring a second win on his ozeki debut.

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Ozeki Kotomitsuki beats No. 2 maegashira Tochinonada

TOKYO, Japan - Newly promoted ozeki Kotomitsuki (L) pulls down second-ranked maegashira Tochinonada on the first day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 9.

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Kotomitsuki set for ozeki debut as JSA releases autumn rankings

TOKYO, Japan - Newly promoted ozeki Kotomitsuki (R) and his stable master Sadogatake pose for photographers at the Sadogatake stable in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture on Aug. 27, holding up the rankings list for the Sept. 9-23 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo released by the Japan Sumo Association earlier in the day.

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Fired ozeki Kotomitsuki erroneously listed in new rankings

TOKYO, Japan - The name of ozeki Kotomitsuki (pointed to by a finger) appears on a new sumo rankings list for the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament released by the Japan Sumo Association on July 5, 2010, a day after the JSA decided to fire Kotomitsuki and stablemaster Otake for being the central figures in a widespread gambling scandal.

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Fired ozeki Kotomitsuki erroneously listed in new rankings

TOKYO, Japan - A sumo fan looks at a new sumo rankings list for the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament released by the Japan Sumo Association in front of Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on July 5, 2010. The list includes the name of ozeki Kotomitsuki, whom the JSA decided on July 4 to fire for being one of the central figures in a widespread gambling scandal.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Sumo stablemaster Sadogatake bows in apology in Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture, on July 4, 2010, after the Japan Sumo Association decided to fire ozeki Kotomitsuki, who belonged to Sadogatake's stable, for being one of the central figures in a widespread gambling scandal. The JSA has also decided to fire stablemaster Otake.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Sumo stablemaster Otake speaks to reporters at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, after the Japan Sumo Association decided to fire Otake and ozeki Kotomitsuki for being the central figures in a widespread gambling scandal. Otake was found to have borrowed 20 million to 30 million yen from Kotomitsuki as he was mired in debts accumulated through illegal gambling.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Sumo stablemaster Otake (R) speaks to reporters at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, after the Japan Sumo Association decided to fire Otake and ozeki Kotomitsuki for being the central figures in a widespread gambling scandal. Otake was found to have borrowed 20 million to 30 million yen from Kotomitsuki as he was mired in debts accumulated through illegal gambling.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Sumo stablemaster Onomatsu, the coach of several wrestlers who allegedly gambled on baseball, bows in apology at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, after the Japan Sumo Association decided to demote him two ranks and make him ineligible for promotion for the next 10 years. (Pool photo)

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Sumo stablemaster Tokitsukaze, who gambled on baseball when he was a wrestler, speaks to reporters at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, after the Japan Sumo Association decided to demote him to ''toshiyori'' in the sumo hierarchy and to keep him at the lowest rank on probation for five years. (Pool photo)

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa speaks at a news conference at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, after the JSA decided to fire ozeki Kotomitsuki and stablemaster Otake for being the central figures in a widespread gambling scandal at an extraordinary meeting of its board of directors.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Hiroyoshi Murayama, a former Tokyo High Prosecutors Office chief, speaks at a news conference at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, after being named by the Japan Sumo Association as JSA Chairman Musashigawa's fill-in. Musashigawa will be suspended until the end of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which runs from July 11 to 25 at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, over his disciples' involvement in a widespread gambling scandal.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Hiroyoshi Murayama (R), a former Tokyo High Prosecutors Office chief, speaks at a news conference at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, with Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa. Murayama will act as JSA chief because Musashigawa will be suspended until the end of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which runs from July 11 to 25 at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, over his disciples' involvement in a widespread gambling scandal.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) and other sumo wrestlers implicated in various forms of illegal gambling in a third-party investigation bow in apology during a press conference at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010. Hakuho has admitted to betting some tens of thousands of yen on ''hanafuda'' Japanese playing card games.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Sumo wrestlers and stable masters punished by the Japan Sumo Association over a widespread gambling scandal bow in apology during a press conference at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010. The JSA has fired ozeki Kotomitsuki and stablemaster Otake for being the central figures in the scandal.

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Sumo wrestler Kotomitsuki fired over gambling

NAGOYA, Japan - Ozeki Kotomitsuki enters a room in a hotel in Nagoya, central Japan, for a meeting of the Japan Sumo Association on July 4, 2010. The association decided to fire him over a gambling scandal.

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Kotomitsuki, 29 JSA members admit to gambling

TOKYO, Japan - Ozeki Kotomitsuki, a sumo wrestler in the second-highest rank of the sport, gets into a vehicle near his residence in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, on June 17, 2010. Kotomitsuki confessed to his involvement in illegal gambling on baseball, a scandal over which Tokyo police grilled a sumo stablemaster the same day.

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Sumo rocked by wrestlers' gambling scandal

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa speaks to reporters at the Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium in Tokyo on June 14, 2010, after ozeki Kotomitsuki admitted to involvement in illegal gambling on baseball games.

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Ozeki Kotomitsuki admits to gambling on baseball

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows ozeki Kotomitsuki who has admitted to engaging in alleged illegal gambling on baseball games after earlier denying his involvement. Japan Sumo Association officials said June 14, 2010, that the wrestler confessed to his involvement in writing.

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Grand champion Hakuho clinches 14th title in summer sumo meet

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho smiles at his stable in Tokyo on May 21, 2010 as he holds up a pair of red sea bream, a traditional fish eaten on a festive occasion. He claimed his 14th career Emperor's Cup with two days to spare in the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament by defeating ozeki Kotomitsuki.

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Grand champion Hakuho clinches 14th title in summer sumo meet

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho draws applause from sumo fans May 21, 2010 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan after claiming his 14th career Emperor's Cup with two days to spare in the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament by defeating ozeki Kotomitsuki.

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Grand champion Hakuho clinches 14th title in summer sumo meet

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho smiles at his stable in Tokyo on May 21, 2010 as he holds up a pair of red sea bream, a traditional fish eaten on a festive occasion. He claimed his 14th career Emperor's Cup with two days to spare in the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament by defeating ozeki Kotomitsuki.

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Grand champion Hakuho clinches 14th title in summer sumo meet

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho leaves the sumo ring with prize money in hand May 21, 2010 at Ryogoku Kokugikan. He claimed his 14th career Emperor's Cup with two days to spare in the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament after defeating ozeki Kotomitsuki.

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Grand champion Hakuho clinches 14th title in summer sumo meet

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho flashes a victory sign from his car May 21, 2010 after claiming his 14th career Emperor's Cup with two days to spare in the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan by defeating ozeki Kotomitsuki.

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Grand champion Hakuho clinches 14th title in summer sumo meet

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho cools down on May 21, 2010 after claiming his 14th career Emperor's Cup with two days to spare in the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan by defeating ozeki Kotomitsuki.

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Grand champion Hakuho clinches 14th title in summer sumo meet

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho deploys an armlock throw on ozeki Kotomitsuki on the 13th day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 21, 2010, to claim his 14th career Emperor's Cup with two days to spare in the 15-day event.

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Grand champion Hakuho clinches 14th title in summer sumo meet

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho deploys an armlock throw on ozeki Kotomitsuki on the 13th day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 21, 2010, to claim his 14th career Emperor's Cup with two days to spare in the 15-day event.

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Hakuho sends Baruto packing to close in on summer sumo title

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (R) pushes ozeki Baruto of Estonia out of the ring on the 12th day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 20, 2010. Hakuho remains unbeaten and can claim his 14th Emperor's Cup with a win against ozeki Kotomitsuki on May 21.

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Hakuho sends Baruto packing to close in on summer sumo title

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (L) pushes ozeki Baruto of Estonia out of the ring on the 12th day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 20, 2010. Hakuho remains unbeaten and can claim his 14th Emperor's Cup with a win against ozeki Kotomitsuki on May 21.

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Hakuho wins Osaka basho with flawless record

OSAKA, Japan - Estonian sekiwake Baruto (R) pushes ozeki Kotomitsuki out of the ring at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on March 28, 2010, wrapping up a successful ozeki promotion campaign.

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Hakuho stays 1 win clear of Baruto in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho pushes down ozeki Kotomitsuki on the 12th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymansium in Osaka on March 25, 2010, remaining unbeaten in the competition.

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Hakuho beats Kotomitsuki to bag 12th title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (R in front) celebrates with his supporters after capturing his 12th Emperor's Cup in the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka on Nov. 28, 2009, on the penultimate day of the 15-day competition. At left is his stable master Miyagino.

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Hakuho beats Kotomitsuki to bag 12th title at Kyushu basho

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) throws down ozeki Kotomitsuki on the 14th day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka on Nov. 28, 2009. Hakuho captured his 12th Emperor's Cup with 14-0.

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Hakuho beats Kotomitsuki to bag 12th title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho reacts after beating ozeki Kotomitsuki to capture his 12th Emperor's Cup on the 14th day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka on Nov. 28, 2009. Hakuho also set a new record of 85 wins in a single year.

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Asashoryu suffers 2nd loss

FUKUOKA, Japan - Grand champion Asashoryu (L) is pushed out of the ring by ozeki Kotomitsuki on the 13th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 27, 2009. The yokozuna suffered his second loss in the 15-day tournament.

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Asashoryu sets up clash with Hakuho at autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (R) attempts to throw ozeki Kotomitsuki out of the ring at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 26, 2009. The yokozuna moved within reach of his 24th Emperor's Cup with a demolition of the ozeki, improving to a perfect 14-0 and setting up a clash with fellow Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho on the final day of the 15-day meet on Sept. 27.

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Hakuho still chasing Asa at autumn sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (top) sends Kotomitsuki packing with a nicely worked underarm throw to remain in the hunt for his 12th title at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 25, 2009.

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Kotomitsuki beaten

NAGOYA, Japan - Ozeki Kotomitsuki (L) is forced out of the ring by grand champion Asashoryu on the 12th day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 23.

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Kotomitsuki stuns Hakuho to grab share of lead in Nagoya

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (L) allows Kotomitsuki to shove him over the edge and grab a share of the lead heading down the final stretch of the 15-day meet at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 22.

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Asa falls again, Hakuho, Kotooshu on top at Nagoya sumo

NAGOYA, Japan - Kotomitsuki (R) twists down Harumafuji (L) with an armbar technique right after the face-off, sending his ozeki rival to a third defeat on the ninth day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 20.

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Hakuho unstoppable to stay in share of lead at summer sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Asashoryu pushes ozeki Kotomitsuki out of the ring at the Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 21, staying one behind the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament leaders, grand champion Hakuho and ozeki Harumafuji, at 11-1 to keep his chances of a 24th Emperor's Cup alive.

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Hakuho outlasts Kotomitsuki to stay in share of lead

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (R) forces ozeki Kotomitsuki out of the ring on the 11th day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 20, remaining unbeaten.

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Hakuho, Harumafuji still on top at summer basho

TOKYO, Japan - Ozeki Harumafuji forces fellow ozeki Kotomitsuki out of the ring on the 10th day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 19, remaining unbeaten in the 15-day tournament.

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Asashoryu wins over Kotomitsuki at New Year sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu (R) pushes ozeki Kotomitsuki out of the ring, keeping his scorecard unblemished on the 10th day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 20.

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Baruto rolls on with 6th win at New Year sumo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Estonian sekiwake Baruto flings out ozeki Kotomitsuki, cementing his place in the title race as he preserves his unbeaten start to the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 16.

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Ama posts 12 wins at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Promotion-chasing sekiwake Ama (L) outclasses ozeki Kotomitsuki, efficiently taking down the ozeki with a textbook underarm throw at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka on Nov. 22. Ama is virtually assured of promotion to ozeki as he has now exceeded 33 wins in three consecutive tournaments -- a rough guideline to gain promotion to sumo's second-highest rank.

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Ama assured of promotion to Ozeki

FUKUOKA, Japan - The mother of promotion-chasing sekiwake Ama (R) kisses the Mongolian sumo wrestler Nov. 22 after he beat ozeki Kotomitsuki at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka earlier in the day. Ama is virtually assured of promotion to ozeki as he has now exceeded 33 wins in three consecutive tournaments -- a rough guideline for gaining promotion to sumo's second-highest rank. At left is his elder brother.