TOKYO - Kotoeiho said Sunday he aims to earn promotion to one of sumo's elite ranks by performing strongly as a career-high No. 1 maegashira at the upcoming Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
"I have a chance now that I've reached this position," Kotoeiho said after taking 14 practice bouts at his Sadogatake stable in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo.
The 23-year-old rose to his current position, just below the fourth-highest rank of komusubi, after posting an 11-4 record at the previous meet in Nagoya in July.
"There are good things and bad things. I want to make sure I'm fully prepared," Kotoeiho said after suffering three straight defeats to fellow rank-and-file wrestler Gonoyama, who is ranked at No. 3 maegashira.
"I'll just give it my all and try to win as many bouts as possible," he said ahead of the 15-day tournament starting next Sunday at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
A big winning record this month could even move Kotoeiho up to the third-highest rank of sekiwake for the Kyushu meet in November.
In the same training session, ozeki Kotozakura appeared to be in good form, winning 14 of 19 practice bouts.
Although Kotozakura did not engage in practice bouts during sumo's regional tour last month due to left ankle pain, he said, "There's no problem with my left leg. I'll do my best as usual."
The 28-year-old ozeki, just beneath grand champion yokozuna, is seeking his first double-digit win since March, having reached the 10-win mark just once since capturing his first top-division title in November 2024.
