Kotozakura Masakatsu II
A Japanese sumo wrestler who carried his grandfather's legendary name into the modern era, rising to the sport's second-highest rank through powerful, technical sumo.
Born 1997 (age 29)·Japanese sumo wrestler·Birthday: November 19·Generation Z
Biography
Bearing the weight of a famous name, Kotozakura Masakatsu II has carved his own path to the summit of sumo. The grandson of a yokozuna and son of a sekiwake, he entered the Sadogatake stable—his family's business—with immense expectation. His sumo is a blend of inherited pedigree and personal power; a large, solidly built rikishi, he favors a forceful, pushing-thrusting style but possesses a surprising technical arsenal for close-quarters combat. His steady climb through the ranks was methodical, reaching the top makuuchi division in 2020 and quickly ascending to the titled san'yaku ranks. His breakthrough came with a dominant tournament victory, a performance that showcased not just strength but strategic maturity, earning him promotion to ōzeki, sumo's second-highest rank. As an ōzeki, Kotozakura embodies stability and excellence, serving as a bridge between his stable's storied past and its future, all while upholding the intense dignity his position demands.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Kotozakura was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kotozakura Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Kotozakura's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Promoted to the rank of ōzeki, sumo's second-highest rank, following a consistent run of strong tournament performances.
- Won his first top-division (makuuchi) yūshō (tournament championship) with an impressive 13-2 record.
- Earned five special prizes for Fighting Spirit (Kantō-shō) for his determined performances in tournaments.
- Received the Technique Prize (Ginō-shō) once, highlighting the skill within his powerful style.
- Successfully maintained his san'yaku rank for multiple consecutive tournaments, demonstrating elite consistency.
Did You Know?
His grandfather was the 53rd yokozuna, Kotozakura, and his father is former sekiwake Kotonowaka, who is now the stablemaster of Sadogatake stable.
His shikona (ring name) is inherited; he is the second wrestler to fight as Kotozakura Masakatsu.
He made his professional debut in November 2015 and reached the top makuuchi division in March 2020, a relatively steady climb.
In his youth, he was a standout baseball player before focusing fully on sumo.
He shares his stable with his younger brother, who wrestles under the name Kototebakari.
“My sumo is built on my own two feet, not the shadow of my grandfather's name.”
