Kototsubaki Katsuyuki

Kototsubaki Katsuyuki (琴椿 克之) (born 6 December 1960 as Katsuyuki Tokashiki) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa, Japan.

Early life Katsuyuki was born in Naha, Okinawa on 6 December, 1960. He practiced judo in junior high school, and by the time he was a third year junior high school student, he was 180cm tall, and being scouted by high schools outside the prefecture, including Kokushikan High School.

Katsuyuki was scouted for sumo by stablemaster Sadogatake (former 53rd Yokozuna Kotozakura), who was visiting Okinawa and was originally interested in Katsuyuki’s older brother. His brother turned down the opportunity, but recommended Katsuyuki to Sadogatake instead.

When Katsuyuki was promoted to Sekitori, he was only the second wrestler from Okinawa to have reached that rank.

As an elder He retired in March 1995, and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Shiratama (白玉). He joined the Sumo Association's special executive group, below the 10 directors and 3 deputy directors, on 30 March 2022.

Legacy Katsuyuki has worked to promote sumo in Okinawa, and develop more wrestlers from the prefecture. The Okinawa Prefectural Sumo Championship has named the trophy given to the winner the Kototsubaki Cup Okinawa Prefecture Sumo Championship, after Katsuyuki’s wrestling name.

Career record