Sekiwake Kirishima lifts the Emperor's Cup on March 22, 2026, the final day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, in Osaka. (©KYODO)
Sekiwake Kirishima was the sole leader at the Spring Basho after the 13th day of competition in Osaka.
Heading into the next-to-last day, the Mongolian born sumo wrestler owned a 12-1 record and a two-victory advantage over yokozuna Hoshoryu and fifth-ranked maegashira Kotoshoho.
On Saturday, March 21, ozeki Kotozakura beat Hoshoryu, ending his title hopes. And in an earlier bout, komusubi Atamifuji prevailed against Kotoshoho.
In the day's penultimate match, Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki triumphed over Kirishima. Despite the loss, Kirishima clinched the title on Saturday, with Hoshoryu and Kotoshoho dropping out of title contention.
"I lost my bout, and ideally I wanted to [win] it," Kirishima said at Edion Arena Osaka, according to Kyodo News. "But I'm relieved to have secured the title."
On Sunday, Kirishima (12-3 overall) lost for the second day in a row. Kotozakura triumphed in the high-profile duel.
Hoshoryu's Saturday setback spoiled his goal of winning his first Emperor's Cup as a yokozuna. He won his most recent title as an ozeki in January 2025, earning promotion to sumo's highest rank.
A day later, Hoshoryu (11-4) ended the Spring Basho on a positive note, defeating Aonishiki (7-8) with a well-executed inner-high throw.
Ups and Downs in Kirishima's Career
Kirishima, who turns 30 on April 24, won a pair of grand sumo tournaments in 2023. That March, as a sekiwake, he won the Spring Basho with a 12-3 record, defeating Daieisho in a playoff for his first title. He closed out the year's final tourney with a 13-2 record at the Kyushu Basho and hoisted the Emperor's Cup in Fukuoka.
In May 2023, in his ozeki promotion ceremony, the wrestler formerly known as Kiribayama changed his shikona (ring name) to Kirishima in honor of his stablemaster, Michinoku.
He compete as an ozeki for the first time at the July 2023 tournament. Since then, he's also competed as a sekiwake (the sport's third-highest rank), a top maegashira, a komusubi (fourth-highest rank), and a second-ranked maegashira.
Kirishima was demoted to sekiwake following the Summer Basho in May 2023 after amassing a combined 17 wins in the first three tournaments of the year.
Securing a Return to Ozeki
Now, after winning his first third career Emperor's Cup, Kirishima is on the verge of returning to ozeki for the first time since the Summer Basho in May 2024. The Japan Sumo Association will hold a meeting to discuss the matter in the coming days, according to published reports.
Before picking up 12 wins in the Spring Basho, Kirishima posted back-to-back 11-4 records in the two previous tournaments. As a result, his victory total of 34 for three meets surpassed the benchmark of 33 wins for promotion to ozeki (for sekiwake and komusubi grapplers).
What was Kirishima's reaction on Sunday after receiving the winner's trophy from Hakkaku, the JSA chairman?
"It felt really heavy, holding it for the first time in a while," Kirishima was quoted as saying by Kydo News. "Today's my mother's birthday and I'm able to send her the best present."
Determination and Strength
In the Spring Basho, also known as the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, Kirishima displayed his motivation to become a champion again and move closer to reaching ozeki again.
Victories over Hoshoryu and third-ranked maegashira Oho on Day 11 and 12, respectively, offered vivid images of his fierce determination.
"I didn't give up after getting demoted and kept working hard, believing I'd get back there (the rank of ozeki) one day," Kirishima said, according to Kyodo News.
The Mongolian also has ambitious goals for the future.
"I'm still young. I'll build an even stronger body and keep pushing until I reach my goal [of becoming a yokozuna]," Kirishima said, according to Sankei Sports.
Spring Basho Award Winners
In addition to winning the Emperor's Cup, Kirishima collected the Outstanding Performance Award for the first time.
Kotoshoho and makuuchi division debutant Fujiseiun (10-5) received the Fighting Spirit Prize.
Second-ranked maegashira Fujinokawa (8-7) earned the Technique Prize.
Tournament Notes
Hoshoryu and Kotoshoho both finished with 11-4 records, trailing the Spring Basho champion by one win in the final standings.
Rank-and-file wrestlers Asahakuryu, Fujiseiun, Gonoyama and Chiyoshoma along with ozeki Kotozakura all went 10-5.
After winning consecutive titles in November 2025 and January 2026, Aonishiki finished a grand sumo tournament with a losing record for the first time in his career. The Ukrainian made his pro debut in the jonokuchi (entry-level) division in November 2023.
RELATED:
- JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK | Sumo Title Up for Grabs at the Spring Basho
- New Year Basho: Aonishiki Beats Atamifuji in Playoff to Win 2nd Consecutive Title
Author: Ed Odeven
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