Kirishima Tetsuo

, born April 24, 1996, as Byambachuluun Lkhagvasuren ( ) is a professional sumo wrestler from Mongolia. He made his debut in March 2015 representing Michinoku stable under the name , and reached the top ''makuuchi'' division in January 2020. He wrestles for Otowayama stable, where he moved to in April 2024 following the closure of Michinoku stable. His highest rank has been '' ōzeki''. He has won the ''makuuchi'' championship twice along with two runner-up performance and four special prizes in his career to date.

Upon his promotion to ''ōzeki'' in May 2023, Kirishima changed his ring name from Kiribayama, adopting the ring name of his then-stablemaster Michinoku (former '' ōzeki'' Kirishima).

Early life

Lkhagvasuren was born into a nomadic community in Dornod Province, near the border between China and Russia. His name is a reference to his grandfather, Yatamsuren, who was a renowned '' bökh'' wrestler. His father was in charge of a vast herd of sheep, and from a young age, Lkhagvasuren rode horses to help his father at work, which strengthened his legs and waist – an advantage for sumo. He eventually moved to Ulaanbaatar and began practicing judo and ''bökh'' in a club, where he was joined later by future ''Yokozuna'' Hōshōryū. In 2014, he was invited by an acquaintance along with four other Mongolians to Japan to try out sumo at Michinoku stable with no previous experience of the sport. At that time, he was over tall, but weighed less than . Michinoku stablemaster, former ''ōzeki'' Kirishima, thought Lkhagvasuren was the best of the five, but was reluctant at first to take on a foreign recruit. The stable had not had a foreigner since Hakuba was forced to retire over match-fixing allegations in 2011. He eventually relented after Lkhagvasuren committed to staying in Japan, and let him take the new recruits examination in February 2015. As he entered his stable, his slight stature drew a comment from a '' wakaimonogashira'' in his stable, who commented that he would be too thin to hold his own in sumo.

Lkhagvasuren received the shikona, or ring name, to evoke his master, with the kanji 霧 derived from his former wrestling name, , his nomadic past with the kanji 馬, for 'horse', and finally the kanji 山 to evoke ''yokozuna'' Futabayama, a great wrestler who belonged to the same ''ichimon'', or clan, as his stable.

Sumo beginnings

He officially began his career in May 2015. At the time, he was in the same class as Homarenishiki, the first Canadian sumo wrestler (''rikishi'') in 30 years. During the first years of his stable life, he had difficulty adapting, mastering very little of the language and mentioning his lack of sleep when his stablemates snored too loudly in the stable dormitory.
During his debut in '' maezumō'', he faced Chiyonoumi (then called Hamamachi), a former vice-captain of Nippon Sport Science University sumo club, with whom he shared the same debut promotion. Hamamachi handed him his only defeat in four matches to determine his future position in the ''jonokuchi'' division. In his first match in this division, he lost again to Hamamachi, who won the tournament that year, but finished with a score of 5–2, securing promotion to the next division. In ''jonidan'', he was among the wrestlers competing for the championship (''yūshō''), but was nevertheless beaten by Sakae, who then lost in the playoff to Hamamachi, during the last day of competition. However, his 6–1 score allowed him to enter sumo's third division, ''sandanme'', for the November 2015 tournament. There, he won the tournament with a perfect score of 7–0. Logically promoted to the ''makushita'' division for the January 2016 tournament, he nevertheless suffered the first negative record (''make-koshi'') of his career and was demoted back to the ''sandanme'' division. He was promoted back to ''makushita'' for the Nagoya tournament, but suffered a left knee ligaments injury during a practice session and had to withdraw from the tournament ('' kyūjō''), and was demoted back to the lower division. Following this injury, Kiribayama gradually changed his fighting style, moving from an overuse of throwing techniques and back-dropping techniques to a style based more on forward momentum. At the time of his injury, he was also suffering from severe homesickness, but thanks to his master's efforts he hung on, motivated in particular by the prospect of returning to his homeland for a visit in the event of promotion to ''jūryō''. In November 2017, he was competing for the makushita division championship but failed after being defeated by former ''jūryō'' wrestler on the final day. However, he bounced back the following year by winning the championship at the May tournament, despite injuring his elbow during a training session.

''Jūryō'' promotion

In March 2019, Kiribayama was finally promoted to the ''jūryō'' division after a 4–3 record at ''Makushita'' 1. It took him four years in total to reach the ''sekitori'' ranks from his professional debut. He was the first new ''sekitori'' Michinoku stable had produced since Kirinowaka in January 2008. He shared his promotion with another future ''san'yaku'' wrestler, Wakamotoharu. During promotional interviews he spoke of his desire to fight with a black '' shimekomi'', in order to evoke ''yokozuna'' Harumafuji. As part of his promotion, he also received a partnership with a jewellery brand that had already supported his master when he was active. The brand offered him a ''keshō-mawashi'' representing a black parrot. Kirishima moved through the ''jūryō'' division in just five tournaments. His fellow Mongolian, ''Yokozuna'' Kakuryū, became his stablemate in October 2019 when Izutsu stable closed. Kiribayama mentions this transfer as having been particularly beneficial for him because, although he was initially anxious at the idea of training with the ''yokozuna'', he benefited from a great deal of advice from Kakuryū. He also expressed his desire to be ''tsuyuharai'' at Kakuryū's ring-entering ceremony if he managed to be promoted to ''makuuchi''. In November of the same year, he took part in a four-way playoff for the ''jūryō'' championship along Ikioi, Kaisei and Azumaryū. Although he lost to Kaisei, his 11–4 record secured his promotion to sumo's top division, making him the first to be promoted to the rank of ''maegashira'' in his stable since Hakuba in May 2008.

''Makuuchi''

Promotion and early career

In preparation for his tournament, he showed encouraging signs in training, having defeated 4-year ''makuuchi''-veteran Shōdai, and revealed that he would indeed serve as an assistant to Kakuryū's ring-entering ceremony. Before the tournament, he also received a ''keshō-mawashi'' from Nestlé Japan as part of a partnership with his stable. In his debut top ''makuuchi'' division tournament in January 2020, he began the tournament with mixed results, having won his first match against Kaisei, but failed against Kotonowaka, who was still in ''jūryō'', on the following day. From Day 8 onwards, he won against Kotoekō and went on to win his 7 last matches in a row; finishing the tournament with 11 wins to 4 losses and being awarded the Fighting Spirit special prize for his performance. In March he stood at only four wins against six losses after Day 10, but won his last five matches to secure a 9–6 record and promotion to a new highest rank of ''Maegashira'' 3 for the next tournament, which was originally scheduled for May but actually took place in July. He withdrew on Day 10 of the September 2020 tournament with a shoulder injury, but returned from Day 13 to secure a winning record of 9–4–2. In September of the following year, Kiribayama set a personal record by scoring 4 consecutive victories for the first time in ''makuuchi'', beating ''Komusubi'' Ichinojō in an unusually long match.

Kiribayama was promoted to ''komusubi'' for the November 2021 tournament, the first Mongolian to debut in ''san'yaku'' since Tamawashi and Terunofuji in March 2015. He managed only six wins against nine losses in this tournament, and returned to the ''maegashira'' ranks. He was promoted to ''komusubi'' again following the July 2022 tournament, and maintained his rank for the next three tournaments. In January 2023 he was runner-up with an 11–4 record and was awarded his first Technique Prize. He would be promoted to ''sekiwake'' for the next tournament in March.

In March 2022, Kiribayama had a good tournament, beating the newly promoted ''Ōzeki'' Mitakeumi on the fifth day, inflicting his first defeat since his promotion. In July of the same year, former ''yokozuna'' Kitanofuji published a letter to the editor in '' Chunichi Sports'' in which he congratulated Wakatakakage and Kiribayama on their match, which took place on Day 6. Although Wakatakakage won the match by '' yoritaoshi'', Kitanofuji praised their stamina and power, even comparing the match to the legendary clashes between ''Yokozuna'' Tochinishiki and Wakanohana I.

In March 2023, he entered the final day of the tournament one win behind the leader and his next opponent, ''Komusubi'' Daieishō. Kiribayama was also competing on one day's rest after his Day 14 opponent, Wakatakakage, defaulted due to injury. In their scheduled contest, Kiribayama was able to repel Daieishō's charge and score the win by '' tsukitaoshi'' ('thrust down'). With their records equalized at 12–3, the two had to face off again to determine the ''makuuchi'' champion. In the playoff, Kiribayama used the same thrust down technique to defeat Daieishō. Kiribayama's first top-division championship was confirmed after the ringside judges agreed in a ''mono-ii'' that Daieishō touched the ground before Kiribayama stepped out of the ''dohyō''. After receiving the Emperor's Cup, Kiribayama said that he didn't understand anything that was going on when he entered sumo in 2015, but "somehow, eight years later, I've made it this far." He was awarded his second Technique prize for his efforts. The following day Kiribayama, who became the ninth top-division champion from Mongolia, said that winning the ''yūshō'' was the best feeling, but that he would start focusing on the next tournament. Having won 23 contests in his last two tournaments, Kiribayama would likely be considered for promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ''ōzeki'' by winning at least 10 matches in the May 2023 tournament.

''Ōzeki'' promotion and name change

In the May 2023 tournament Kiribayama secured the required tenth win with a victory over then-current ''ōzeki'' Takakeishō. He stayed in the ''makuuchi'' championship race until suffering his third loss against ''yokozuna'' Terunofuji on Day 14, finishing the tournament with 11 wins and his third straight Technique prize.

On 31 May 2023 Kiribayama's promotion to ''ōzeki'' was unanimously approved by the Sumo Association, and he made his formal acceptance speech when informed of the news at Michinoku stable. His parents from Mongolia flew in to Japan for the ceremony. With the promotion, Kiribayama became the sixth Mongolian ''ōzeki''.

Following the promotion ceremony it was announced that Kiribayama had changed his ''shikona'' (ring name) to Kirishima, inheriting the ''shikona'' used by his stablemaster Michinoku (former ''ōzeki'' Kirishima Kazuhiro). The stablemaster revealed that on Day 14 of the May 2023 tournament, with promotion appearing to be certain, he asked Kiribayama to adopt his old ring name. The former Kirishima told reporters that he wanted the new Kirishima to climb higher with his new name, and surpass him to reach the rank of ''yokozuna''. Kirishima Tetsuo said that he would work harder than ever to live up to the rank of ''ōzeki''.

In the run-up to the tournament, however, Kirishima had to stop training for the last two days of the preparation period because of an elbow injury. His series of injuries did not cease, however, and on the first day of the July tournament it was revealed that Kirishima had complained of severe back pain, due to an inflammation in the back of the shoulder blade which had been going on for over a year. The issues forced Kirishima to declare himself '' kyūjō'' for his scheduled match against Nishikigi. The medical report stated that Kirishima had bruised his right ribs and would need about three weeks of rest and treatment, but his stablemaster said at the time that he could return during the tournament. Kirishima's absence was the first time since Musōyama at the May 2000 tournament that a newly promoted ''ōzeki'' had to withdraw on the first day of a tournament, and the fifth time in total since the start of the Shōwa era. A few days later it was announced that Kirishima would participate on Day 4 of the tournament against Kotonowaka. The new ''ōzeki'' stated at the time that he desired to compete, saying that his health got a little better and that it would not be good to sit on the sidelines for too long. In their Day 4 contest Kirishima pushed Kotonowaka out of the ''dohyō'' from behind to secure his first win at the ''ōzeki'' rank. Despite his comeback, Kirishima nevertheless reached a negative score (''make-koshi'') when he suffered a sixth defeat to the former '' ōzeki'' Asanoyama on Day 14 of the tournament.

During the 2023 September tournament, Kirishima entered as a competitor under '' kadoban'' status, having to record at least eight victories to save his ''ōzeki'' rank. On the thirteenth day, he scored a victory over newly promoted-''ōzeki'' Hōshōryū, logically saving his status for the November tournament. He concluded this basho with a 9-6 score.

In October 2023, Kirishima won for the first time the All Japan Rikishi Championship, a Meiji Shrine-sponsored charity tournament.

During the November 2023 tournament Kirishima was part of the group of wrestlers leading the championship race. On Day 13 he defeated Daieishō to take the lead for most wins by a top-division wrestler in the year. Having only been equaled in score by Atamifuji on Day 13, Kirishima's title hopes and a potential championship were at stake when he faced Atamifuji on Day 14. Kirishima won the match by '' yorikiri'', securing a one-win lead in the championship race into the final day. Kirishima locked up his second title when Atamifuji was defeated by Kotonowaka. In the final bout, Kirishima defeated fellow ''ōzeki'' Takakeishō to finish with a 13–2 record for the tournament and 62 wins for the year. Kirishima dedicated his victory in the tournament–held in Kyushu–to his stablemaster Michinoku, who was born in Kagoshima Prefecture. The Sumo Association indicated that Kirishima would likely be considered for promotion to ''yokozuna'' with another championship in January, or an equivalent performance.

Kirishima made a good start to the tournament, although he also suffered two defeats on Day 4 against Midorifuji and on Day 8 against Tobizaru. On Day 13 he defeated the other remaining ''ōzeki'', Hōshōryū, by '' nimaigeri'' ('ankle kicking twist down'), a technique not seen in ''makuuchi'' for ten years. This victory, his fifth in a row, ensured him a place in the group of three wrestlers tied for the title (with Terunofuji and Kotonowaka). However, Kirishima was beaten by Kotonowaka on Day 14, forcing him to beat the ''yokozuna'' on the final day to secure a place in a playoff. Kirishima failed to beat Terunofuji, ending his chances of winning the tournament. After the tournament, the head of the Judging Department, Sadogatake, commented that had Kirishima won a twelfth victory by defeating Terunofuji, he would have submitted a recommendation for promotion to ''yokozuna''.

In anticipation of his master's 65th birthday in April 2024, it was announced that Michinoku stable would close after the March 2024 tournament, with its wrestlers to be distributed within the Tokitsukaze ''ichimon''. According to sources inside the Sumo Association, Kirishima asked to be transferred to the care of former ''yokozuna'' Kakuryū in Otowayama stable. During this same March tournament, Kirishima performed poorly, suffering an eighth defeat on Day 11 against Wakamotoharu, with the certainty of being relegated to '' kadoban'' status for the May tournament. In total, he recorded just five victories in the tournament, including a notable last one against fellow-''ōzeki'' Kotonowaka. Disappointed by his performance, he nevertheless confirmed that he was looking forward to being trained by Otowayama, declaring that he intended to prepare as quickly as possible for the May tournament. Later that same month, he withdrew from regional tours for medical reasons, citing a neck contusion, doubled by a contusion of both elbows and a right triceps tendonitis.

Kirishima's performances were impacted by his injuries and at the May 2024 tournament, during which Kirishima wrestled under the status of '' kadoban-ōzeki'', he recorded a series of consecutive defeats. He withdrew on Day 7 after scoring just one win. Kirishima would not return to the tournament, with his new stablemaster Otowayama commenting that he had neck pain and would be hospitalized for a few days. Kirishima was demoted to for the July tournament, where he needed to win ten matches in order to return to sumo's second-highest rank. His bid to do so came to an end when he lost his sixth match on Day 13 of the July tournament. He did, however, finish with eight wins, to retain the rank going into the September tournament.

On the occasion of the pre-tournament training in September, during which he competed against former ''ōzeki'' Shōdai and Mitakeumi, Kirishima reassured the press by mentioning his desire to win a double-digit record in the hope of regaining his former rank, and by communicating on the recovery of his injuries. At the May 2025 tournament, Kirishima resumed a long winning streak that could enable him to regain his former ''ōzeki'' rank by scoring 11 victories, which also earned him a fourth Technique prize.

Fighting style

According to his Japan Sumo Association profile, Kirishima's preferred grip on his opponent's ''mawashi'' is ''hidari-yotsu'', a right arm outside and left hand inside position. His favourite techniques are listed as ''yori-kiri'' (force out) and ''nage'' (throws), both underarm and overarm. In the run-up to his top division promotion he increased his weight to , giving him a more powerful attack, but he is still able to outmaneuver his opponents by his speed and footwork. During the early years of his career, he aimed to emulate the style of his master and the Mongolian ''yokozuna'' Harumafuji and Asashōryū.

Personal life

Kirishima maintains a decade-long friendship with judoka Ryunosuke Haga.

Career record

See also

* List of ''ōzeki''
*List of active sumo wrestlers
* Active special prize winners
*List of sumo tournament top division champions
* List of sumo tournament top division runners-up
*Glossary of sumo terms

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kirishima Tetsuo
1996 births
Living people
Mongolian sumo wrestlers
Sumo people from Ulaanbaatar
Ōzeki