 In July 2015, with Wakanosato likely to retire, he switched to the Otowayama name formerly owned by the late Takanonami.He left Sumo Association in January 2018 after the Otowayama "kabu" was needed by ex-"maegashira" Daido (formerly Onogawa Oyakata).Kōbō's favoured "kimarite" or techniques were "hidari-yotsu" (a right hand outside, left hand inside grip on the opponent's "mawashi"), "shitatenage" (underarm throw), and "yorikiri" (force out).