Kotochitose Kosei

Kotochitose Kosei - 琴千歳 幸征 (born April 22, 1957) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chitose, Hokkaido. He made his debut in July 1971 and wrestled for Sadogatake stable. He reached the makuuchi division in May 1981. His highest rank was maegashira 5 and he retired in July 1986.

## **Early Life**

During his second year at Chitose Shiritsu Chitose Junior High School, he was recommended to visit the training practice of Sadogatake stable by sandanme wrestler Kishunada. After the visit, he decided to join Sadogatake stable at the age of 14.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his debut in July 1971 and was given the shikona "Kotochitose" (琴千歳) which was derived from his hometown of Chitose, Hokkaido. Since Kotochitose had not graduate junior high school yet, he was only permitted to wrestle professionally on the weekends, while he continued to attend school during the weekdays. He was promoted to sandanme in July 1973 and makushita in March 1975. In July 1979, he produced a 5-2 record at the rank of makushita 2 and was promoted to juryo in the following tournament.

### **Juryo Career**

Kotochitose made his juryo debut in September 1979, and in his first tournament as a sekitori, he won the juryo yusho with a strong 10-5 record. He continue to put up solid numbers, but struggled to break pass through the juryo wall to makuuchi. In March 1981, Kotochitose posted an 8-7 record at the rank of juryo 1 and was promoted to makuuchi in May 1981.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kotochitose posted a solid 9-6 record in his makuuchi debut and followed with a 8-7 record in July 1981 which earned him a promotion to a career-best maegashira 5 in September 1981. However, he finished with a 6-9 record and eventually fell down to juryo in January 1982. He fell down to makushita in September 1982, but returned immediately back to sekitori status. He made his last makuuchi appearance in May 1984 where he finished with a 5-10 record.

### **Later Career**

He remained in juryo for another two years after demotion from makuuchi. In November 1984, he won his second juryo yusho with a strong 11-4 record. However, after this he went on a slump and was demoted to makushita in January 1986.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

After three tournaments in makushita, Kotochitose announced his retirement after the July 1986. He remained in the Sumo Association as a wakaimongashira. In addition, he also serves as a part-time commentator for NHK during their live makushita coverage. He is affiliated with Sadogatake stable. He retired from being a wakaimonogashira after the March 2022 tournament due to the mandatory retirement age of 65.

## **Personal Life**

In 1980, Kotochitose appeared in a commercial for the Pentax Auto 110 Camera.

## **Fighting Style**

Kotochitose was an exponent of tsuppari, a series of rapid thrusts to the opponent's chest and often won by oshidashi or push out. He used a hidari-yotsu, or right hand outside, left hand inside grip when fighting on his opponent's mawashi or belt, and yorikiri (force out) was his most common winning kimarite.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 440-424-22/863 (91 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 32-43/75 (5 basho)
* **Juryo:** 228-237-15/464 (32 basho)
* **Makushita:** 111-92-7/203 (30 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 46-38/84 (12 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 19-11/30 (10 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 2 **Juryo** Championships
	+ 1st (September 1979)
	+ 2nd (November 1984)

## **Shikona History**

* Yamamoto Minoru (1971.07 - 1971.07)
* Kotochitose Kosei (1971.09 - 1986.07)

## **Gallery**

Kotochitose's early career in the unsalaried ranksKotochitose wins his first Juryo Yusho (c. 1979)Kotochitose appears in a PENTAX commercial (c. 1980)Kotochitose serves as Ozeki Kotokaze's flag bearer (c. 1981)Kotochitose with his kesho-mawashi
## **Sources**

* Kotochitose Kosei Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kotochitose Kosei Rikishi Information