PARIS - Kotozakura defeated fellow ozeki Kirishima in Saturday's final at the Japan Sumo Association's two-day event in Paris.
The French capital is hosting an exhibition tournament featuring wrestlers from sumo's elite makuuchi division for the third time, following tours in 1986 and 1995.
Kotozakura, who withdrew from the May grand tournament in Tokyo due to a back injury, pushed out maegashira Chiyoshoma in the quarterfinals and pulled down former sekiwake Abi in the semifinals.
Yokozuna Hoshoryu was forced out by Kirishima in the semifinals, while the other grand champion, Onosato, lost by overarm throw to maegashira Wakamotoharu in the third round.
The makuuchi wrestlers will contest another single-day tournament at the Accor Arena on Sunday. Kotozakura will be crowned the overall winner if he can replicate Saturday's success. Otherwise, he will battle Sunday's winner for the title.
The exhibition is the association's first overseas event since last October's tour to London.
