Ozeki Kirishima expressed determination on Tuesday to secure promotion to the sport's highest rank of yokozuna at the upcoming Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, according to Kyodo News.
Speaking during a practice session ahead of the tournament, Kirishima emphasized that his goal is to perform at his best to meet expectations from experts and fans. "I want to focus completely on each bout, without thinking too far ahead, but of course the biggest goal is to rise to yokozuna," the Mongolian wrestler said.
Kirishima has posted impressive results in recent tournaments, which has placed him among leading candidates for the highest promotion. However, to be officially recognized, he needs to win the championship or achieve equivalent results at the Autumn tournament, scheduled to take place in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, another development concerning yokozuna Hoshoryu has drawn attention. Hoshoryu's stablemaster expressed doubt about the wrestler's ability to compete in the Autumn tournament, raising concerns about injury or inconsistent form.
The Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament is seen as a crucial opportunity for Kirishima to solidify his standing and move closer to the yokozuna title, the pinnacle of a sumo wrestler's career. Fans are eagerly awaiting his performance amid increasingly fierce competition.
