Photo/Illutration Kirishima, left, pushes down ozeki Takakeisho at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 26, the last day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. (Soichiro Yamamoto)

FUKUOKA--Ozeki Kirishima captured his second career title at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament here Nov. 26, putting the Mongolian national in line for a shot at grand champion in the next tournament early next year.

Kirishima, 27, finished with 13 wins and two losses for his first Emperor’s Cup after he was promoted to ozeki, the second-highest rank, following the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in May and took over the current ring name from his stablemaster.

His first victory was at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March when he was sekiwake, the third-highest rank, and wrestling as Kiribayama.

He has a chance to win promotion to yokozuna, the highest rank, if he wins his third championship at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in January.

Kirishima and rank-and-filer Atamifuji were tied with 11 wins and two losses when they entered Day 14.

But Kirishima defeated Atamifuji when they faced off that day.

On Nov. 26, Atamifuji suffered a fourth loss to sekiwake Kotonowaka, ensuring Kirishima’s victory.

In the final bout of the day, Kirishima pushed down ozeki Takakeisho.

Kirishima grew up in a nomadic family in the eastern Mongolian province of Dornod and became a professional sumo wrestler in 2015. He was promoted to the highest makuuchi division in 2020.

Known for his strong back, Kirishima also practiced judo in Mongolia. The grappler is attached to the Michinoku stable.

Related News