16 Facts About Kotonishiki Katsuhiro

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro began his career in 1984, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1989.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro won two top division tournament titles from the maegashira ranks, the first in 1991 and the second in 1998.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro earned eighteen special prizes during his career, second on the all-time list, and defeated yokozuna eight times when ranked as a maegashira.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro retired in 2000 and after a long stint as a sumo coach at Oguruma stable, took the vacant elder name Asahiyama and branched out to form his own stable of the same name.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro switched to Kotonishiki in late 1987 and shortly afterwards made the elite sekitori ranks, being promoted to the juryo division in March 1988.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro made his debut in the titled san'yaku ranks at komusubi in September 1990 and came through with a winning record.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro was to spend a total of 34 tournaments ranked at either sekiwake or komusubi, which is an all-time record.

In May 1998 Kotonishiki Katsuhiro was runner-up for the fourth time and returned to komusubi, but he was sidelined through injury in the next tournament and managed only five wins on his return.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro responded by winning his first 11 matches and though he lost to yokozuna Wakanohana on Day 12, he defeated Takanohana and Takanonami over the next two days to clinch the championship.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro was awarded special prizes for the final time, receiving his eighth Technique and seventh Outstanding Performance Award.

Now over 30 years of age, Kotonishiki Katsuhiro was no longer able to maintain a position in the san'yaku ranks, but he was still a threat, as he defeated yokozuna in three consecutive tournaments from March to July 1999.

In March 2000 Kotonishiki Katsuhiro had to withdraw on the 5th day of the tournament through injury, with only two wins.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro remained in the sumo world as a coach, initially at Sadogatake stable and later at the affiliated Oguruma stable.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro's stable is known for breaking out of traditional shackles, being an animal shelter and a bakery, the latter having been opened at the instigation of his wife and by his eldest daughter.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro was regarded as an oshi-sumo specialist, favouring tsuki and oshi techniques.

Kotonishiki Katsuhiro fought under the name Wakaseido and reach the rank of sandanme 70.