Breaking sumo news via the Nihon Sumo Kyokai Japanese Twitter account…it’s official: Kiribayama has been promoted to Ozeki! Widely expected anytime now, the promotion to the second-highest rank comes after the Sekiwake managed 34 wins over the last 3 tournaments and also his first top tier championship in March. The vote was unanimous for promotion according to Nikkan Sports. Kiribayama also may have undergone a shikona, or name change after the announcement. It appears his new name will be Kirishima. He is the 6th Mongolian wrestler in the last 15 years to reach Ozeki and history is in his favor…they all eventually were promoted to Yokozuna, the highest rank, most recently Terunofuji. To be eligible for promotion to Grand Champion, Kirishima now must win consecutive tournaments or finish 2 straight tournaments with wins equal to victory.
In other news, the Shin-Juryo & Sai-Juryo rikishi were announced. Promoted to Makushita are Yuma, Shishi-the first rikishi from Ukraine to reach the second tier, and Kawazoe, who also has undergone a shikona and will now be known as Kiho. The returning Juryo riksihi are Shiden (who was absent for what would have been his Juryo debut in 2022) and Chiyonoumi.
While we wait to find out where he will be ranked, May Juryo runner-up Ochiai has also undergone a shikona, changing his name to Hakuoho, It’s a combination of part of his hometown and paying homage to his stablemaster, the former Yokozuna Hakuho (now Miyagino). He went 14-1 this tournament at Juryo 8 and lost the championship to Gonoyama in a playoff.
6/1 UPDATE: Reliable YouTube insider source “Chris Sumo” reports former top tier wrestler Ishiura has retired due to injury (which I have confirmed via the Association’s English website) and will become Oyakata Magaki. Ishiura last competed in the March 2022 Tournament before being sidelined bu what is believed to be a back injury. The former Magaki has left the Japan Sumo Association earlier than expected, his name was briefly taken by former Yokozuna Hakuko upon retirement last year and he is now Miyagino following taking over the Miyagino Beya where Ishiura will remain and train/mentor subordinates & fellow rikishi. Ishiura reached a highest rank of Maegashira 5 and finishes his career with a record of 350-321-108 (win-loss-absent), 161-186-43 in the top tier, 2 championships (1 Jonidan, 1 Jonokuchi) and 1 Special Prize (Fighting Spirit).
