Kotowaka Chikao

Kotowaka Chikao - 琴若 央雄 (born April 7, 1954 - March 10, 2016) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Mashike, Hokkaido. He made his debut in July 1971 and last wrestled for Sadogatake stable. He reached the makuuchi division in March 1978. His highest rank was maegashira 2 and he retired in September 1985.

## **Early Life**

Originally, Kashima had no experience with sumo wrestling and was a member of the baseball club in junior high school. After graduating junior high school, he worked at a port where he earned some attention for his ability to carry 60 kg cement bags. Subsequently, in June 1971 he was scouted by the manager of Sadogatake stable.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He made his professional debut in July 1971 under the shikona "Kotonohana" (琴の花), but he later switched to "Kotowaka" (琴若) in March 1974. He was promoted to sandanme in November 1972 and makushita in March 1975. In September 1977, he won the makushita yusho with a perfect 7-0 record at the rank of makushita 5 and was promoted to the juryo division. After his juryo promotion was confirmed, there was a parade held in his hometown Mashike, Hokkaido.

### **Juryo Career**

Kotowaka produced a solid 9-6 record in his first tournament as a sekitori and was promoted to juryo 5 in January 1978 where he produced a 10-5 record. He was promoted to makuuchi in March 1978 after only two tournaments in the juryo division.

### **Makuuchi Career**

Kotowaka was ranked in makuuchi for eleven consecutive tournaments, rising as high as maegashira 2 in January 1979. He never managed to defeat an ozeki or yokozuna in his career. He fell back down to juryo in May 1980 where he remained for a year before earning promotion back to makuuchi for one tournament in September 1981. He was the tallest sekitori during his time in the top two divisions, standing at 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) and his nickname was "Concorde"

### **Later Career**

After his demotion, Kotowaka remained in juryo for another year before falling down to makushita in January 1983. He returned to juryo in May 1983, but could only manage a 4-11 record. He wrestled in makushita for the last two years of his career.

## **Retirement from Sumo**

Kotowaka announced his retirement after the September 1985 tournament. His sumo had deteriorated due to elbow and knee injuries.

After retiring, he temporarily worked at a sumo restaurant run by a former makushita wrestler in Shinjuku, Tokyo. He later opened up a Chano restaurant in Rumoi, Hokkaido, called "Kotowaka" (琴若).

### **Death**

In 2015, a malignant tumor was discovered after Kotowaka checked into a hospital. He died in Rumoi, Hokkaido, on March 10, 2016, due to gallbladder cancer. He was 61 years old.

## **Fighting Style**

Kotowaka was a yotsu-sumo wrestler who prefers grappling to pushing and thrusting techniques. He favored a migi-yotsu (left hand outside, right hand inside) position when gripping his opponent's mawashi (belt). His most common kimarite was yorikiri, or force out. He was also fond of employing uwatenage, or overarm throw.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 425-419-7/844 (86 basho)
* **Makuuchi:** 76-104/180 (12 basho)
* **Juryo:** 146-154/300 (20 basho)
* **Makushita:** 121-96-7/217 (32 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 54-44/98 (14 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 23-19/42 (6 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 5-2/7 (1 basho)

### **Championships**

* 1 **Makushita** Championship (September 1977)

## **Shikona History**

* Kashima (1971.07 - 1971.07)
* Kotonohana
* Kotowaka Chikao (1974.03 - 1985.09)

## **Gallery**

Kotowaka graduates from the Maezumo division (c. 1971)Kotowaka celebrates Makushita Yusho and Juryo promotion (c. 1977)Kotowaka defeats Tochiakagi (c. 1978)Kotowaka prepares for his upcoming match (c. 1979)Kotowaka poses with his kesho-mawashiKotowaka's retirement ceremony (c. 1985)Kotowaka memorial after his death (c. 2017)Kotowaka memorabillia (c. 2017)Kotowaka's signature
## **Sources**

* Kotowaka Chikao Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kotowaka Chikao Rikishi Information