SAKAI, Japan – Spring Grand Sumo Tournament champion Kirishima voiced his relief on Monday after securing his third elite makuuchi-division title that put the sekiwake ever closer to a return to ozeki after 11 meets away.
The 29-year-old went 12-3 at Edion Arena Osaka through Sunday, winning the Emperor’s Cup for the first time since his demotion from ozeki after the May 2024 meet when he fought six tournaments at the second-highest rank while struggling with a neck injury.
“I wanted my kids to get to see a cool dad,” the Mongolian-born wrestler told a press conference in Osaka Prefecture. “My body hurts all over. It’s finally finished.”
After dropping from ozeki with two straight losing records, Kirishima could only muster an 8-7 record in July 2024 when he could have made an immediate return to ozeki by winning 10 bouts under the current system introduced in July 1969.
Kirishima, however, went 11-4 in the last two tournaments as a No. 2 maegashira and sekiwake before reaching 34 wins over three straight meets this month.
While the usual ozeki promotion standard is 33 wins over three straight meets fighting as sekiwake or komusubi, Kirishima’s return to ozeki is set to be confirmed on Wednesday when the Japan Sumo Association discusses May’s Summer meet rankings and holds a board meeting.
“I knew I had a chance if I nursed my injuries,” said Kirishima, who has also battled with his elbow and wrist troubles since his demotion.
He is set to become only the third wrestler in history, after Kaiketsu and Terunofuji, to return to ozeki after failing to make an immediate return to the rank.
After celebrating with a requested banzai cheer with his elder daughter a day earlier, Kirishima expressed gratitude for the strength she gave him and vowed to fulfill another of her wishes.
“She gave me lots of words when I was really struggling. I’ve kept my promise to her by winning the championship,” Kirishima said.
“I’ve yet to beat yokozuna Onosato and it hurt when she asked me, ‘Don’t you have a winning technique?’ I think she wants to see a cool dad.”
AloJapan.com