Sumo: Yokozuna candidate Kirishima honors namesake with championship

Ozeki Kirishima said Monday that winning the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament under the name he inherited from his stablemaster made the victory extra special.

The 27-year-old from Mongolia is on the path for promotion to sumo’s highest rank, yokozuna, after clinching his second Emperor’s Cup, and first as an ozeki, at the 15-day tournament through Sunday.

Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament winner Kirishima speaks at a press conference in Fukuoka on Nov. 27, 2023. (Kyodo)

Having won his previous championship as sekiwake Kiribayama in March, he received his new ring name from his stablemaster, the former ozeki Kirishima, upon his promotion to the second-highest rank in May.

Speaking to reporters the day after his triumph in Fukuoka, Kirishima said winning another title to honor his stablemaster, now known as sumo elder Michinoku, had been “one of my goals.”

“Winning the championship with the new name given to me by elder Michinoku is something special,” Kirishima said.

Kirishima (R) beats fellow ozeki Takakeisho on the final day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 26, 2023. Kirishima won his second top-division championship. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

His 13-2 performance at the final tournament of 2023 saw him finish the year with 62 wins, the most by any wrestler in the top division. The 186-centimeter, 145-kilogram grappler went unbeaten through the final eight days at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Only one wrestler, No. 8 maegashira Atamifuji, was still in contention to catch him on the last day, but the youngster’s loss to sekiwake Kotonowaka ended the title race before Kirishima stepped into the ring for the tournament’s closing bout against fellow ozeki Takakeisho.

The Japan Sumo Association indicated Sunday that another championship or record worthy of a title at the January tournament will most likely be enough to earn Kirishima promotion to yokozuna.

Ozeki Kirishima (R) waves during a parade held after he won his second top-division championship at the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 26, 2023. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Only one wrestler, Mongolian-born Terunofuji, currently holds the top rank, but a succession of injuries limited him to just one full tournament this year.

With Michinoku set to retire from the JSA next April, Kirishima aims to earn the ultimate promotion while his stablemaster remains active.

“Before then, I want to achieve that one dream in life,” he said.

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Sumo: Kirishima beats Takakeisho, claims 2nd title with 2-win margin