Kotozakura Masakatsu

Kotozakura Masakatsu (Japanese琴 樱 杰 将, own Kamatani Norio (纪 雄 镰 谷; * November 26, 1940 in Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture, † August 14, 2007 in Chiba Prefecture ) was a Japanese sumo wrestler He was the 53th yokozuna. .

He was 1.82 m and at a time of its greatest successes by 150 kg, a relatively heavy wrestler, but was also very prone to knee injuries, which eventually forced him to end his playing career. The "wild bull" was known for his ability to his opponent at the start of the fight ( tachi -ai ) to overrun with assault and then to push out of the ring. He often used this Nodo - wa, strikes against the opponent's neck.

Kotozakura was a middle school student already a successful judoka and turned in His high school years to the Amateursumō. In a tournament, he was able to prove at the national level for third place. Ex - komusubi Kotonishiki, then equerry ( Oyakata ) of Sadogatake - Beya, took him in his stall Ringer. His first tournament played Kotozakura in January 1959 under his birth name. Soon after, he received from his Oyakata the fight name ( Shikona ) " Kotozakura ".

In January 1960, Kotozakura won his first tournament as a fighter of Sandanme Division; he had (at that time ) decided since its introduction up to this point on every tournament at least six of the eight games for themselves. In July 1962, he was taken with the rise in the juryo division in the ranks of the privileged sekitori. After two tournament victories ( Yusho ) in this division he stood in March 1963 finally in the top division of the Japanese Profisumō, the Makuuchi division.

Initial difficulties left him momentarily fall back to the second division, but Kotozakura reached its chances of promotion and fought until November 1963 in the front ranks maegashira ago. During the tournament, two of his colleagues were wrong Heya cooked fugu victim. Shocked by the tragedy Kotozakura lost his concentration and made after a series of defeats with difficulty the kachi koshi - but received the award for outstanding performance.

In January 1964, Kotozakura stood as komusubi and for the first time as sanyaku wrestler. In this tournament, he narrowly lost against Yokozuna Kashiwado after the Gyoji had been overruled by the Shimpan, but withdrew during the basho multiple ankle fracture and dislocation of the knee joint. This he dropped to the rear of the table. In May 1964, he suffered, who took not yet completely healed, a 5 -10 make- koshi and slipped by from to the juryo. However, this setback he resembled quickly back out, returned within two tournaments in the Makuuchi and also successfully won back a place at the table top.

In September 1967 tournament Kotozakura defeated both the reigning yokozuna Kashiwado and Sadanoyama and the Ozeki Yutakayama and Kitanofuji (later Grand Master ). He finished the basho with 11-4 and, after he had already overcome three ozeki in July, where even in this state. The further ascent to Yokozuna honor was initially denied him, his next Yusho he won in tournaments in July 1968 and March 1969. During this time he constantly suffered injuries. Three times he was threatened by losing his rank ( kadoban ).

It was not until his thirtieth basho as ozeki in November 1972 was to take the turn. This, he decided, as well as the following Hatsu Basho - 14-1 for themselves. After five years Kotozakura managed promotion to yokozuna. However, after another triumph at the Nagoya basho - 1973, the new Yokozuna could enter no further Yusho. Instead recurring knee injury in 1974 forced him to pause first, before he announced his retirement shortly before the July tournament of the year. After 66 tournaments in the Makuuchi was his fight record 553 victories to 345 losses in 77 fights he did not compete.

Kotozakura initially acquired the Shiratama share and planned to start his own Ringer stable, but ten days later died in his old Oyakata, he took over his Sadogatake - Beya. At his retirement in 2005, he handed over the reins to his son, the former sekiwake Kotonowaka. He died of heart failure.