Ozeki Kotoshogiku will be out to prove his first Emperor's Cup win in January was no fluke when the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament begins on Sunday.

To say that his championship win at the New Year Basho was a major surprise would be something of an understatement, given that it was only the eighth time that Kotoshogiku had posted double-digit wins in 26 tournaments at sumo's second rank of ozeki.

Kotoshogiku, who has milked his win for all it is worth and has enjoyed numerous championship parades, will now at the age of 32 be up for a tsunatori challenge, meaning he will be promoted to sumo's top rank of yokozuna with a second-consecutive title win at the March 13-27 tournament in Edion Arena Osaka.