Kotomitsuki wins in Amsterdam
09.06.2009
The arrival of the Sadogatake stable, one of Japan's best known Sumo outfits caused a stir in the Netherlands. Giant fighters, including the wildly popular Bulgarian, Kotooshu, are a rare sight in Europe. The Heineken Music centre in Amsterdam is more used to hosting credible indie bands than incredible fighters. TOYO TIRES, as sponsors of the event, helped to bring the cultural spectacle to Europe.
A packed house assembled to watch the fighters contest a mini championship. Whilst the bout did not constitute a round of the championship, these men are athletes and competition runs in their veins. As a result, there was no concession to the fact that this was a "friendly". Everyone wanted to win and it showed with hard and fast fighting from the start.
Twenty two fighters started the competition with ten opening bouts. As is traditional in Japan, all the fighters names start with "Koto" indicating which stable they belong to.Top seeds, Kotooshu and Kotomitsuki were given a pass for this round going straight through to the semi-final. Because of the numbers, the semi final produced three fighters who participated in a triangular struggle to decide who would contest the final. In the end Kotoshiguku was bested and the two top seeds went through to a final which Kotooshu was predicted to win. But on the night, the strength and competitive spirit of Kotomitsuki was just enough to overcome his opponent and in the end he won over the more favoured Kotooshu.
An entertaining nights fighting, richly enjoyed by the whole audience in the packed hall. Afterward, the fighters, ultra professional to the last, spent time meeting the audience, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Normally, Sumo wrestlers would not pose for pictures like this in japan, but recognising their role as ambassadors, they changed their normal policy to be more welcoming to the European audience. Below, Kotomitsuki in the centre is pictured holding his winners "clog" a traditional Dutch shoe, customised for the occasion. To his left is runner up Kotooshu, whilst to his right is Kotoshogiku, the third fighter in the triangular struggle.
The whole event was a triumph for demonstrating Japanese culture and a perfect spectacle for TOYO TIRES to be associated with.
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