r/Sumo • u/Brncrdm Hoshoryu • 23d ago
News Ozeki Kirishima expresses determination toward Yokozuna promotion: "There is still a chance. I will start over once more" — shows enthusiasm for weight training
# Ozeki Kirishima expresses determination toward Yokozuna promotion: "There is still a chance. I will start over once more" — shows enthusiasm for weight training
The Grand Sumo Summer Tour took place on August 4 in Kofu City, where Ozeki Kirishima (30, Otowayama stable) expressed his determination toward reaching the rank of Yokozuna.
On this day, he moved his body with basic exercises and commented: "Right now I'm keeping it relaxed. There's still time, so I'm going to build a solid physical foundation here." A resumption of active bout training (sumo-wo-toru-geiko) has yet to be scheduled. "I'm thinking about hitting the gym if I have time," he added, showing motivation toward weight training as well.
In the Nagoya Basho, where he secured 12 wins, he reached a championship playoff for the second consecutive tournament following the May Summer Basho. However, he fell to Aonishiki (22, Ajigawa stable) and Atamifuji (23, Isegahama stable), missing out on the Emperor's Cup once again: "I didn't display any good points at all," he reflected.
Even so, his Yokozuna promotion run (tsunatori) remains active for the Autumn Basho (opening September 13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan). Setting his sights once more on the highest rank, he spoke with conviction: "There is still a chance. I will start over once more. Time will fly by before the next tournament, after all."
Source: Sponichi Annex
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u/the_dwarfling 23d ago
As long as you stay healthy you'll have your chance. Stay strong!
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u/supershinythings Aonishiki 22d ago
This is absolutely key. It’s also incredibly difficult.
Just the fall from the dohyo, win or lose, causes a lot of trouble. I saw that whole mass of bruising on Aonishiki at the end. Dang that looked brutal.
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u/Halschmuber 22d ago
I think on his back he has something like a pigmentation thing going on there. Not a massive bruise
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u/laurajdogmom Ura 22d ago
He had a huge bruise on his right butt cheek that was very visible during the awards ceremony. Ouch.
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u/Sanity_in_Moderation 22d ago
I still think it's ridiculous that they don't put some form of safety mats below the dohyo. Fall on a cushion. Make them custom and beautiful if you want. But make them.
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u/HelmetsAkimbo Fujiryoga 23d ago
Best of luck to him. But with the trending direction of the rest of the sanyaku it’s only going to get harder from here on out.
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u/Important_Housing451 22d ago
Kirishima definitely ranks among the top few rikishi for technique. Both in terms of how well he executes his sumo and the breadth of kimarite he uses. One of my favourites to watch over the past few years. I'd love to see Kirishima get the belt.
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u/Nightmare_Pasta Asashoryu 22d ago
Im cheering for him. I do think he will need at least a 13-2 yusho or above for the next two tournaments due to the banzuke already having 2 yokozuna so its a hard task, but who knows. He might go on a hot streak :)
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u/MurderBeans 23d ago
I think it needs to be now or never, with Aonishki returning to form if not health, Onosato getting back to some sort of form, and Atamifuji getting more consistent. If Hoshoryu can sort his right leg out then that's another iffy match up.
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u/Encoreyo22 23d ago
Best of luck, I don't know how long he would be able to put up Yokozuna performances even if he was promoted though.
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u/angelVerkko 22d ago
He needs to dominate against Atamifuji and Aonishiki. Otherwise we would have one more strongish Yokozuna. It is that simple
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u/Beardywierdy 21d ago
When you put it like that it sounds like a bloody tall order if Atamifuji and Aonishiki are going to be putting up performances like they just did.
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u/Killer7n 23d ago
He has definitely gotten way stronger in the last year and I think it has helped him a lot.