18 Facts About Kokkai Futoshi

Kokkai Futoshi is the first Georgian rikishi to reach sumo's highest division, makuuchi, which he achieved in 2004.

Kokkai Futoshi earned two special prizes for Fighting Spirit and two gold stars for defeating yokozuna.

Kokkai Futoshi started amateur wrestling from the age of six, being taught by his father who represented the Soviet Union in the sport.

Kokkai Futoshi made his professional debut in May 2001, joining Oitekaze stable.

Kokkai Futoshi managed nine wins in November 2007, his first kachi-koshi, or winning score, since March.

Kokkai Futoshi was disqualified from his final match against Kimurayama after his was judged to have pulled his opponent's topknot, which is a kinjite, or foul.

Kokkai Futoshi maintained it was accidental as the tape on his fingers had stuck to Kimurayama's hair.

Kokkai Futoshi was forced to pull out of the May 2012 tournament with an injury sustained in a defeat to Takanoyama on Day 10, breaking a run of 882 consecutive appearances since his professional debut in 2001, the most amongst active wrestlers.

Kokkai Futoshi was able to return to the tournament and secured his majority of wins on the final day.

Kokkai Futoshi was joined in the top division by several wrestlers from Eastern Europe, including Kotooshu from Bulgaria, Aran from Russia, and Baruto from Estonia.

In May 2008 a fellow Georgian, Tochinoshin, was promoted to makuuchi, and Kokkai Futoshi defeated him in their first match that July.

Kokkai Futoshi has knowledge of four languages: Georgian, Russian, English and Japanese.

Kokkai Futoshi is a devout Christian and prays every day.

Kokkai Futoshi once appeared with prominent sideburns for a few days, before he was told by his stablemaster to shave them off.

Kokkai Futoshi went back to his native Georgia to work in the private sector.

Kokkai Futoshi began to fight more on the mawashi, gripping his opponent's belt, switching from the pushing and thrusting techniques he used earlier in his career.

Kokkai Futoshi was fond of using the slap-down and the pull-down.

Kokkai Futoshi was married to a 22-year-old from his native country Georgia in August 2011.