Sumo: Japanese Kotozakura wins Paris Tournament... and a wagyu beef

Japanese wrestler Kotozakura emerged victorious at the Paris Sumo Tournament, held at the Accor Arena in Bercy. This win marks the return of professional sumo to France for the first time in more than three decades.

Kotozakura, who had also performed strongly on the first day, secured the championship by defeating Mongolia's Hoshoryu in the grand final. This marked only the third time sumo has held an event in France, with previous stops in 1986 and 1995. International sumo tours were more common in the 1980s and 1990s but became rare until the Japan Sumo Association decided to revive overseas events.

The tournament drew a significant crowd, with an estimated 25,000 spectators attending over the two-day event to watch 62 of the world's top sumo wrestlers. In the final match, Kotozakura surprised many by defeating Hoshoryu, one of only two active wrestlers holding the highest rank of Yokozuna. The bout itself lasted approximately 16 seconds.

Beyond the coveted trophy, Kotozakura received a unique prize: an entire wagyu beef, a customary reward in the world of sumo, provided by one of the event's sponsors. The tournament's successful return highlights a renewed effort to promote sumo internationally.