Kotoyusho Yoshihiro

Kotoyusho Yoshihiro - 琴裕将 由拡 (born May 14, 1994) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kashihara, Nara. He made his debut in March 2016 and currently wrestles for Sadogatake stable. He reached the juryo division in January 2022. His highest rank as of 2023 is juryo 13.

## **Early Life**

Prior to joining professional sumo, Inagaki had no serious exposure to sumo wrestling. He participated in wanpaku sumo tournaments while in elementary school and would usually stay over at Sadogatake stable. While attending Kashihara Junior High School he belonged in the judo club, but also practiced at a local sumo dojo and would sometimes compete in sumo competetions.

By this time, Sadogatake Oyakata (former sekiwake Kotonowaka) began recruiting him for professional sumo. However, he rejected the offer and went on to attend Yamato-Koryo High School where he joined the Greco-Roman wrestling club. Inagaki wrestled at the 120 kg weight class and became one of the top ranked wrestlers in the country and participated in national and overseas competitions. After graduating high school, he was enrolled at Hosei University's Faculty of Letters and he was also a member of the school's wrestling team. However, after poor results at the school, he dropped out in May 2015 (his third year) after his parent's approval.

After dropping out of university, he returned to his hometown of Kashihara, Nara, and was engaged in the family business. His father later recomended that he give professional sumo a try, so Inagaki called up Sadogatake Oyakata who had been trying to recruit him multiple times since junior high school.

## **Career**

### **Early Career**

He joined Sadogatake stable and made his professional debut in March 2016 at the age of 21. Initially wrestling under the shikona "Kotoinagaki" (琴稲垣), he was promoted to sandanme in November 2016 and makushita in January 2018. In March 2019, he was given the new shikona "Kotoyusho" (琴裕将). He gradually rose up the banzuke, or rankings, and by September 2021, he was ranked at makushita 4. In this tournament he defeated juryo-ranked Asashiyu on the final day to secure a winning record. He was promoted to the rank of makushita 1 in November 2021, where he produced a 4-3 record and his juryo promotion was confirmed on December 1, 2021.

### **Juryo Career**

In his first tournament as a sekitori, Kotoyusho got off to a decent start, finishing with a 6-4 record after the tenth day. However, he went on to lose his last five matches to finish with a 6-9 record. He followed with a 4-11 record in March 2022 and was demoted back down to makushita in May 2022. He had to withdraw from Day 12 of the July 2022 tournament after a COVID outbreak at Sadogatake stable.

## **Fighting Style**

Kotoyusho is an oshi-sumo wrestler who prefers pushing and thrusting techniques to fighting on the mawashi. His most common kimarite used was a straightforward oshidashi, or push out.

## **Record**

### **Division Results**

* **Total:** 169-161-1/328 (46 basho)
* **Juryo:** 10-20/30 (2 basho)
* **Makushita:** 100-109-1/207 (30 basho)
* **Sandanme:** 45-25/70 (10 basho)
* **Jonidan:** 10-4/14 (2 basho)
* **Jonokuchi:** 4-3/7 (1 basho)

## **Shikona History**

* Kotoinagaki Yoshiyuki (2016.03 - 2019.01)
* Kotoyusho Yoshihiro (2019.03 - )

## **Gallery**

### **JSA Profile Pictures and Tegata**

Kotoyusho Yoshihiro - 2022 (Retrieved from the JSA)Kotoyusho Yoshihiro - 2022 (Retrieved from the JSA)Kotoyusho's Tegata
### **Career Overview**

Kotoyusho gets measure upon joining sumo (c. 2016)Kotoyusho prepares for his upcoming match (c. 2021)Kotoyusho ensures promotion to Juryo (c. 2021)Kotoyusho after promotion to Juryo (c. 2021)Kotoyusho meets the mayor of his hometown (c. 2021)Kotoyusho defeats Chiyoarashi (c. 2022)Kotoyusho battles Toseiryu (c. 2023)
## **Sources**

* Kotoyusho Yoshihiro Japanese Wikipedia Article
* Kotoyusho Yoshihiro Rikishi Information