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Kotooshu attends topknot cutting ceremony

TOKYO, Japan - Kotooshu, the first European ever to win an Emperor's Cup and achieve sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, meets with reporters after his topknot cutting ceremony on Oct. 4, 2014, in Tokyo. As Kotooshu has obtained Japanese nationality, he has shown interest in having his own sumo stable.

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Stablemaster cuts Kotooshu's topknot at retirement rite

TOKYO, Japan - Stablemaster Sadogatake (R) cuts Kotooshu's topknot during the Bulgarian-born professional sumo wrestler's retirement ceremony at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2014.

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Kotooshu attends topknot cutting ceremony

TOKYO, Japan - Kotooshu, the first European ever to win an Emperor's Cup and achieve sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, wipes his eyes during his topknot cutting ceremony on Oct. 4, 2014, in Tokyo. As Kotooshu has obtained Japanese nationality, he has shown interest in having his own sumo stable.

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Kotooshu weeps as father talks at retirement ceremony

TOKYO, Japan - Bulgarian-born professional sumo wrestler Kotooshu sheds tears as his father Stefan Mahlyanov speaks to him during a topknot-cutting ceremony for his retirement at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2014.

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Former ozeki Kotooshu hangs up mawashi

OSAKA, Japan - Kotooshu, a 31-year-old Bulgarian-born sekiwake, whose real name is Karoyan Ando, announces his retirement at a press conference at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 20, 2014. Kotooshu, the first European to ever win an Emperor's Cup and achieve sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, said he has reached his physical limits and no longer possesses the energy to continue wrestling.

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Former ozeki Kotooshu hangs up mawashi

OSAKA, Japan - Kotooshu, a 31-year-old Bulgarian-born sekiwake, whose real name is Karoyan Ando, wipes tears at a press conference at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 20, 2014, after announcing his retirement. Kotooshu, the first European to ever win an Emperor's Cup and achieve sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, said he has reached his physical limits and no longer possesses the energy to continue wrestling.

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Former ozeki Kotooshu hangs up mawashi

OSAKA, Japan - Kotooshu, a 31-year-old Bulgarian-born sekiwake, whose real name is Karoyan Ando, sheds tears at a press conference at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 20, 2014, after announcing his retirement. Kotooshu, the first European to ever win an Emperor's Cup and achieve sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, said he has reached his physical limits and no longer possesses the energy to continue wrestling.

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Injury-plagued Kotooshu hangs up mawashi

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Kotooshu, a Bulgarian rikishi whose real name is Karoyan Ando. Kotooshu, 31, the first European wrestler to ever win an Emperor's Cup and achieve sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, retired March 20, 2014.

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Kotooshu withdraws from meet

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (L) beats sekiwake Kotooshu in the 10th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka, western Japan, on March 18, 2014. Kotooshu withdraw from the spring meet the following day.

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Harumafuji beats Kotooshu in Osaka tournament

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Harumafuji (L) beats sekiwake Kotooshu with "hatakikomi" (slap down) on the 9th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 17, 2014.

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Kakuryu butts heads with Kotooshu in spring sumo tourney

OSAKA, Japan - Ozeki Kakuryu (L) butts heads with sekiwake Kotooshu at the start of their bout on the fourth day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka, western Japan, on March 12, 2014. Kakuryu, a Mongolian, beat the Bulgarian opponent to better his record to 3-1 while the latter dropped to 1-3.

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Kotooshu beats Endo in 1-day sumo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Endo (front) is thrown out of the ring by Kotooshu with an overarm throw during a one-day sumo tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Feb. 9, 2014.

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Kotooshu beats Tamawashi in New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu (L) throws down Mongolian opponent Tamawashi on Jan. 25, 2014, the 14th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

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Yokozuna Hakuho remains unbeaten at New Year sumo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (R) throws down Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 22, 2014. Hakuho remained unbeaten after the 11th day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Hakuho defeats Kotooshu in New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho bundles Kotooshu out of the ring with an overarm throw on Jan. 22, 2014, the 11th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

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Shohozan defeats Kotooshu in New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Shohozan defeats Kotooshu on Jan. 21, 2014, on the 10th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

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Kotooshu vs Takekaze

TOKYO, Japan - Kotooshu beats Takekaze on Jan. 19, 2014, the eighth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

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Day 7 of 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Ozeki Kakuryu of Mongolia (R) pushes sekiwake Kotooshu of Bulgaria out of the ring on the seventh day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 18, 2014.

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Bulgarian wrestler obtains Japanese nationality

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu. The 30-year-old Kotooshu, whose real name is Kaloyan Mahlyanov, has obtained Japanese nationality, it was learned on Jan. 16, 2014. He is the first European wrestler to become a naturalized Japanese.

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Day 4 of New Year Grand Sumo Tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu (L) pushes down No. 4 maegashira Aminishiki on the fourth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 15, 2014.

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Hakuho wins Nagoya title

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (L) forces ozeki Kotooshu out of the ring on the 13th day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 19, 2013. Hakuho secured the Emperor's Cup for the 26th time, capturing the title with two days to spare.

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Hakuho wins Nagoya title

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho is pictured after beating ozeki Kotooshu on the 13th day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 19, 2013. Hakuho secured the Emperor's Cup for the 26th time, capturing the title with two days to spare.

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New Year Grand Sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese sekiwake Goeido (R) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu by the "sukuinage" technique on Jan. 17, 2013, the fifth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo.

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Hakuho suffers 1st loss

FUKUOKA, Japan - Ozeki Kotooshu (L) pushes grand champion Hakuho out of the ring on Nov. 21, 2012, the 11th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in the city of Fukuoka. Hakuho suffered his first loss.

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Hakuho defeats Kotooshu

NAGOYA, Japan - Grand champion Hakuho (L) rams ozeki Kotooshu out of the ring on July 18, 2012, the 11th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, to remain undefeated.

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Kakuryu secures ozeki promotion

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian Sekiwake Kakuryu is pictured at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on March 24, 2012, the 14th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, after beating ozeki Kotooshu. Kakuryu secured promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki after improving to 13-1.

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Kakuryu secures ozeki promotion

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian sekiwake Kakuryu (R) throws down ozeki Kotooshu at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on March 24, 2012, the 14th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Kakuryu improved to 13-1 and secured promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki.

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Hakuho tied for lead

OSAKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (bottom) defeats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on March 22, 2012, the 12th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Hakuho and sekiwake Kakuryu remained in a share of the lead at 11-1 with three days left in the tourney.

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Baruto falls to 2nd loss

OSAKA, Japan - Estonian ozeki Baruto (L) is defeated by Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on March 21, 2012, the 11th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. It was the second loss in the tournament for Baruto, who is seeking promotion to yokozuna after winning the New Year meet in January.

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Baruto falls to 2nd loss

OSAKA, Japan - Estonian ozeki Baruto is seen after being defeated by Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on March 21, 2012, the 11th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. It was the second loss in the tournament for Baruto, who is seeking promotion to yokozuna after winning the New Year meet in January.

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Hakuho wins 21st career title at Kyushu tournament

FUKUOKA, Japan - Grand champion Hakuho (back) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu with an underarm throw on the 13th day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka on Nov. 25, 2011, capturing his 21st career title.

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Hakuho wins 21st career title at Kyushu tournament

FUKUOKA, Japan - Grand champion Hakuho (R) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu with an underarm throw on the 13th day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka on Nov. 25, 2011, capturing his 21st career title.

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Kotooshu with ozeki rank on line

NAGOYA, Japan - Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kotooshu is seen during a training session in Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture, on June 30, 2011. Kotooshu will wrestle in the Nagoya tournament in July with his ozeki rank, the second-highest rank, on the line for the third time.

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New Year sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (L) takes apart Bulgarian bruiser Kotooshu to close in on a sixth consecutive championship at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Jan. 21, 2011.

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Kotooshu vs. Kisenosato

TOKYO, Japan - Kotooshu (R) grapples with Kisenosato at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2011. Kotooshu won by yorikiri.

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Hakuho secures 16th title, extends winning streak to 61

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho (L) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu, extending his winning streak to 61 bouts with his fourth consecutive title already in the bag at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 25, 2010.

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Hakuho secures 16th title, extends winning streak to 61

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho (R) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu, extending his winning streak to 61 bouts with his fourth consecutive title already in the bag at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 25, 2010.

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Hakuho secures 16th title, extends winning streak to 61

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho (L) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu, extending his winning streak to 61 bouts with his fourth consecutive title already in the bag at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 25, 2010.

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Hakuho secures 16th title, extends winning streak to 61

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho (back) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu, extending his winning streak to 61 bouts with his fourth consecutive title already in the bag at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 25, 2010.

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Kotooshu beats Kaio

TOKYO, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu throws down ozeki Kaio on the 10th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 21, 2010, making it nine wins out of 10 in the 15-day meet.

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Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu beats Wakanosato

TOKYO, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (L) pushes Wakanosato out of the ring on the fifth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 16, 2010. Kotooshu shares the lead at 5-0 with Mongolian grand champion Hakuho.

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Ozeki Kotooshu beats Tochinoshin

TOKYO, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu forces Georgian No. 2 maegashira Tochinoshin out of the ring in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 15, 2010.

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Hakuho ties Taiho's 45th winning run

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho deploys a left-handed overarm throw to beat Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu on the 13th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 23, 2010. Hakuho tied former yokozuna great Taiho's 45-bout winning streak.

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Kotooshu beats Homasho

NAGOYA, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (R) swiftly gets inside for a firm belt grip before forcing No. 13 maegashira Homasho out of the ring on the 12th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 22, 2010.

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Ozeki Kaio pulls out of Nagoya meet

NAGOYA, Japan - Ozeki Kaio answers reporters' questions after undergoing treatment for an injury on his left shoulder in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 21, 2010. Kaio pulled out of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after hurting his left shoulder the previous day, losing to Kotooshu.

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Kakuryu beats Kotooshu at Nagoya sumo

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian No. 6 maegashira Kakuryu (R) sends Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu over the edge at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 18, 2010.

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Kotooshu beats Kisenosato at Nagoya meet

NAGOYA, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (L) forces ozeki hopeful Kisenosato over the edge, retaining a share of the lead at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 17, 2010.

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Kotooshu beats Kisenosato at Nagoya meet

NAGOYA, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (above) slams ozeki hopeful Kisenosato over the edge, retaining a share of the lead at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 17, 2010.

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Kotooshu beats Kyokutenho at Nagoya tourney

NAGOYA, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu forces Mongolian maegashira Kyokutenho out of the ring at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 16, 2010, retaining the lead with grand champion Hakuho.

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Ozeki Kotooshu unbeaten at Nagoya sumo tournament

NAGOYA, Japan - Ozeki Kotooshu of Bulgaria (eyes toward camera) forces No. 2 maegashira Aminishiki out of the ring at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 14, 2010, remaining unbeaten during the first four days of the 15-day event.