Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday presented popular Bulgarian wrestler Kotooshu with a collection of sumo loin clothes and sumo equipment that Japan is donating to the Bulgarian Sumo Federation to upgrade the country's sumo infrastructure.
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso hands Bulgarian wrestler Kotooshu a list
of gifts, worth 6.3 million yen, that Japan is donating to the Bulgarian Sumo
Federation to upgrade the country's sumo equipment.
The gift, worth 6.3 million yen, includes 150 pieces of loin clothes, seven sumo rings and a sumo mat, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
Aso thanked the Bulgarian ozeki during the presentation ceremony held at his office for his efforts in "internationalizing sumo."
Kotooshu, who received the donation on behalf of the Bulgarian Sumo Federation, expressed his thanks for the gift and said, "Please come to Bulgaria and see the sumo rings."
The Bulgarian Sumo Federation has 512 sumo wresters, many of whom have been successful in European and world sumo championships.
Bulgarian Ambassador to Japan Blagovest Sendov, who also attended the presentation ceremony, joked that he was actually the No. 2 ambassador next to Kotooshu, alluding to the wrestler's fame in Japan, which has raised the profile of their country.