TOKYO (AP) β Bulgarian-born sumo wrestler Kotooshu, the first European to win the prestigious Emperor’s Cup, has announced his retirement.
The 31-year-old Kotooshu, whose real name is Karoyan Ando, was promoted to sumo’s second-highest rank of ozeki in 2005 and won the Emperor’s Cup in 2008 for his only championship at the elite level.
He was relegated to the third-highest rank of sekiwake for this year’s New Year tournament in January where he finished with a losing record and was unable to regain his ozeki status. Battling a series of injuries, Kotooshu lost nine straight bouts in the ongoing spring tournament.
A Japanese citizen, Kotooshu said Thursday he plans to instruct junior wrestlers as an elder of Japan Sumo Association. He ends his career with a record of 537 wins and 337 losses.
