Photo/Illutration Kiribayama, right, defeats Daieisho with thrust down in a playoff bout at Edion Arena Osaka on March 26, the last day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. (Provided by Nikkan Sports)

New sekiwake Kiribayama clinched his first career title March 26 by defeating Komusubi Daieisho twice on the last day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kiribayama, who is from Mongolia, entered the 15th and final day of the meet at Edion Arena Osaka with one win behind front runner Daieisho.

Kiribayama adopted a thrust down to force a playoff by sending Daieisho out of the ring.

The two wrestlers each had 12 wins and three losses after the bout.

The playoff was held a few minutes later. Kiribayama won again with thrust down after a close fight that required a ringside consultation.

Kiribayama, who was born to a family of nomads in Dornod Province in eastern Mongolia, was a judo enthusiast before coming to Japan for a trial, where he caught the attention of stable master Michinoku.

Kiribayama made his professional debut at the 2015 Summer Grand Sumo Tournament when he was 19 years old.

He was promoted to the top division in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in 2020.

Kiribayama is renowned for not giving up in a fight, as well as his technique of grabbing the front of his opponent’s mawashi belt.

Kiribayama will aim to be promoted to ozeki rank at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in May.

One criterion for the promotion is taking 33 wins while holding one of the three ranks below Yokozuna within the three latest tournaments.

Kiribayama clinched 23 wins in the last two tournaments, including 11 wins in the previous New Year tourney as Komusubi.

The tournament was the fourth held without solo Yokozuna Terunofuji, who withdrew before Day 1.

Solo Ozeki Takakeisho also pulled out midway through the tourney.

This was the first tournament in more than 90 years to be held without a yokozuna and an ozeki, sumo’s two highest ranks.

Kiribayama is the ninth Mongolian-born champion, following Asashoryu with 25 titles, Hakuho with 45, Harumafuji with nine, Kyokutenho with one, Kakuryu with six, Terunofuji with seven, Tamawashi with two and Ichinojo with one.

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