Sumo Wrestler Kirishima Returns to Ozeki Rank After Demotion 2 Years Ago

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:40 JST, March 25, 2026

Sekiwake Kirishima’s second promotion to ozeki was unanimously approved at a ranking meeting for the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament and an extraordinary board meeting of the Japan Sumo Association on Wednesday.

Kirishima is the third wrestler since the 1969 Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, when the current demotion system was introduced, to return to ozeki after falling to the maegashira ranks or lower. This marks his return to ozeki after an absence of about two years.

“I humbly accept this honor. I will strive with all my might to reach even greater heights,” the 29-year-old Mongolian wrestler from the Otowayama stable said at a promotion ceremony held in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on the day.

Kirishima made his debut at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament of 2015. He was promoted to ozeki after the summer tournament of 2023, but a series of injuries to his neck and elsewhere led to his demotion after just six tournaments at ozeki.

Kirishima and his stablemaster Otowayama, who have walked side by side throughout his sumo career, stood together to receive the good news. The 40-year-old stablemaster, former yokozuna Kakuryu, had guided his injury-plagued disciple back to the rank of ozeki.

The summer tourney starts May 10 at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan. At the press conference on Wednesday, Kirishima expressed his joy and his determination to become a yokozuna.

“I’m happier than anything. I won’t get there unless I keep training,” he said.

Otowayama said: “To ensure he never drops down again, this time we’re aiming for the rank above. It’s motivating for me, too.”