Latest news with #OutstandingAchievement
Kyodo News
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Kotoshoho beats Aonishiki to claim maiden Emperor's Cup
NAGOYA - Dark horse Kotoshoho overpowered fellow championship contender Aonishiki to win the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a 13-2 record on Sunday. No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho came into the 15th and final day leading young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and top-division debutant Kusano by one bout, with the Emperor's Cup guaranteed to go to a first-time winner from among the rank and file at the new IG Arena. Determined to avoid a loss that would force him into a championship-deciding playoff, Kotoshoho opened with a solid shoulder blast and thrusted Aonishiki (11-4) to the clay as the No. 1 maegashira attempted to get inside for a belt grip. The 25-year-old Chiba Prefecture native, who earned Fighting Spirit and Outstanding Achievement awards, said he tried not to "think too much" heading into the decisive match against Aonishiki. "After the initial charge my body just moved naturally," said Kotoshoho, who started thinking about the title "about two days ago" with his win against new yokozuna Onosato. Kotoshoho, who made his top-tier makuuchi division debut in Nagoya in 2020, came close to winning the title in January 2023 but lost a winner-takes-all battle against ozeki Takakeisho on the last day. "I learned from my previous experience not to be too nervous and just try to do my best," said Kotoshoho, who added the top-tier debut for his younger brother Kotoeiho this month gave him "motivation." Aonishiki's loss marked a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar meet for the 21-year-old, who came to Japan in April 2022 to escape the war raging in his home country. Sumo's new European star took home a Technique Prize, continuing his streak of a special award in each of his three top-division tournaments. The dynamic grappler reached 11 wins in each of those meets. Kotoshoho's victory also ended No. 14 maegashira Kusano's hopes of becoming the first wrestler to win the Emperor's Cup in his top-division debut since Takerufuji in March 2024. A day after knocking Aonishiki off the top rung of the leaderboard, former university sumo star Kusano (11-4) came off second-best in a thrusting battle with veteran komusubi Takayasu (10-5). The 24-year-old from Kumamoto Prefecture collected Fighting Spirit and Technique prizes as consolation. New yokozuna Onosato forced out ozeki Kotozakura to wrap up his debut tournament as a grand champion at 11-4. After a powerful opening collision, the four-time Emperor's Cup winner shifted Kotozakura over the straw bales and consigned him to another lackluster 8-7 finish. Onosato became the only yokozuna competing in Nagoya following the early withdrawal of Hoshoryu, who pulled out with a damaged big toe after going 1-3 over the first four days. Wakatakakage (10-5) put himself in contention to earn ozeki promotion at the next meet by forcing out fellow sekiwake Kirishima (8-7), who lost his last five bouts. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji, who was knocked out of the title race a day earlier, finished at 11-4 with a force out of No. 13 maegashira Churanoumi (9-6). Veteran No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi (11-4) forced out komusubi Oshoma (3-12) and earned his third Outstanding Performance Prize, becoming the oldest recipient of the award at 40 years and eight months old.
The Mainichi
27-07-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Kotoshoho beats Aonishiki to claim maiden Emperor's Cup
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Dark horse Kotoshoho overpowered fellow championship contender Aonishiki to win the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a 13-2 record on Sunday. No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho came into the 15th and final day leading young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and top-division debutant Kusano by one bout, with the Emperor's Cup guaranteed to go to a first-time winner from among the rank and file at the new IG Arena. Determined to avoid a loss that would force him into a championship-deciding playoff, Kotoshoho opened with a solid shoulder blast and thrusted Aonishiki (11-4) to the clay as the No. 1 maegashira attempted to get inside for a belt grip. The 25-year-old Chiba Prefecture native, who earned Fighting Spirit and Outstanding Achievement awards, said he tried not to "think too much" heading into the decisive match against Aonishiki. "After the initial charge my body just moved naturally," said Kotoshoho, who started thinking about the title "about two days ago" with his win against new yokozuna Onosato. Kotoshoho, who made his top-tier makuuchi division debut in Nagoya in 2020, came close to winning the title in January 2023 but lost a winner-takes-all battle against ozeki Takakeisho on the last day. "I learned from my previous experience not to be too nervous and just try to do my best," said Kotoshoho, who added the top-tier debut for his younger brother Kotoeiho this month gave him "motivation." Aonishiki's loss marked a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar meet for the 21-year-old, who came to Japan in April 2022 to escape the war raging in his home country. Sumo's new European star took home a Technique Prize, continuing his streak of a special award in each of his three top-division tournaments. The dynamic grappler reached 11 wins in each of those meets. Kotoshoho's victory also ended No. 14 maegashira Kusano's hopes of becoming the first wrestler to win the Emperor's Cup in his top-division debut since Takerufuji in March 2024. A day after knocking Aonishiki off the top rung of the leaderboard, former university sumo star Kusano (11-4) came off second-best in a thrusting battle with veteran komusubi Takayasu (10-5). The 24-year-old from Kumamoto Prefecture collected Fighting Spirit and Technique prizes as consolation. New yokozuna Onosato forced out ozeki Kotozakura to wrap up his debut tournament as a grand champion at 11-4. After a powerful opening collision, the four-time Emperor's Cup winner shifted Kotozakura over the straw bales and consigned him to another lackluster 8-7 finish. Onosato became the only yokozuna competing in Nagoya following the early withdrawal of Hoshoryu, who pulled out with a damaged big toe after going 1-3 over the first four days. Wakatakakage (10-5) put himself in contention to earn ozeki promotion at the next meet by forcing out fellow sekiwake Kirishima (8-7), who lost his last five bouts. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji, who was knocked out of the title race a day earlier, finished at 11-4 with a force out of No. 13 maegashira Churanoumi (9-6). Veteran No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi (11-4) forced out komusubi Oshoma (3-12) and earned his third Outstanding Performance Prize, becoming the oldest recipient of the award at 40 years and eight months old.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Rick Astley gives honest take on ‘Never Gonna Give You Up'
Rick Astley says his hit song 'Never Gonna Give You Up' is 'ingrained' in him, reflecting on its lasting impact at the Silver Clef Awards 2025 in London on Wednesday evening (2 July). 'If you cut me open, it says 'Never Gonna Give You Up' in the middle,' he told The Independent at the ceremony where he was presented with the Outstanding Achievement in Music award. The song recently surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, amounting to more than 6,700 years of continuous listening. 'I'm kind of super grateful that I am the age I am, and I started in the eighties because we didn't have social media, we didn't even have the internet,' he said. 'I think things were a little bit softer and fuzzier back then.'
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Rick Astley reflects on lasting impact of his biggest hit as he picks up Silver Clef award
Rick Astley says his hit song 'Never Gonna Give You Up' is 'ingrained' in him, reflecting on its lasting impact at the Silver Clef Awards 2025 in London on Wednesday evening (2 July). 'If you cut me open, it says 'Never Gonna Give You Up' in the middle,' he told The Independent at the ceremony where he was presented with the Outstanding Achievement in Music award. The song recently surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, amounting to more than 6,700 years of continuous listening. 'I'm kind of super grateful that I am the age I am, and I started in the eighties because we didn't have social media, we didn't even have the internet,' he said. 'I think things were a little bit softer and fuzzier back then.'
Leader Live
25-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Proper Pubs shortlist for Mold's Y Pentan pub at gala
Proper Pubs, the award-winning community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, has launched its first ever 'Proper Pubs Awards Gala', to celebrate the achievements of its pub operators across its estate of more than 200 pubs in England, Scotland and Wales. The gala will take place in Chesterfield on Thursday, July 31 and will present nine prestigious awards including Best New Proper Pub of the Year; Sports Pub of the Year; Marketing & Social Media Pub of the Year; Community Pub of the Year; Audit Pub of the Year; Sales Performance Pub of the Year; Entertainment Pub of the Year and Gaming Pub of the Year. There will also be an Outstanding Achievement Award. Y Pentan, in New Street, is up for Sales Performance Pub of the Year. Each category features a selection of finalists (listed below), who have been nominated by their Business Development Manager for going the extra mile in supporting the communities they serve. In addition, one of the pubs will be crowned the overall 'Proper Pubs' Pub of the Year'. Mark Brooke, managing director at Proper Pubs, said: 'Our pubs sit at the heart of their communities. 'They are constantly going above and beyond for customers and residents, from charity fundraising to hosting brilliant entertainment, so it's only right that we acknowledge these incredible achievements. 'Our operators are the face of Proper Pubs and we are so proud of all the work they do day in and day out. 'I'd like to extend my thanks to all our pubs and to congratulate every single operator for all their incredible hard work. Read more 'On behalf of myself and the whole team at Proper Pubs, I'd like to wish the very best of luck to all the finalists and I look forward to celebrating with them next month.' Proper Pubs is always looking for ways to support its communities through an annual schedule of events and fundraising initiatives and in March 2024, it was crowned Community Pub Operator at the Publican Awards. Most recently, the group collected more than 20,000 Easter Eggs to donate to communities in need and raised nearly £100,000 in just three months for various charities across the UK. Last year, Proper Pubs also successfully donated enough food to local foodbanks across the UK to feed 1,300 people for a week and has also been recognised UK-wide defibrillator installation campaign which has already saved 11 lives.
