Kirishima Tetsuo - 霧島 鐵力 (born April 24, 1996) is a Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Dornod Province. He made his debut in March 2015 and currently wrestles for Michinoku stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 2020 and has 4 special prizes and 2 top division championships. His highest rank as of 2024 is ozeki.
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, he rode horses to help his father at work, which strengthened his legs and waist – an advantage for sumo. At the age of 17, he moved to Ulaanbaatar and began practicing judo and bökh (Mongolian wrestling) in a club, where he was joined later by future ozeki Hoshoryu.
Lkhagvasuren comes from a nomadic background
In 2014, he was invited by an acquaintance along with four other Mongolians to Japan to try out sumo at Michinoku stable. He had judo experience but not sumo experience. At that time, he was over 180 cm tall, but weighed less than 70 kg. The Michinoku stablemaster, ex-ozeki Kirishima, thought Byambachuluun 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 Byambachuluun committed to staying in Japan, and let him take the new recruits examination in February 2015. After satisfying visa requirements, he made his dohyo debut in May 2015. Despite his lack of sumo experience he looked good in sumo school against future top division wrestlers such as Ura and Hokutofuji.
Career[]
Early Career[]
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 maezumo, he faced Chiyonoumi (then called Hamamachi), a former vice-captain of Nippon Sport Science University sumo club, with whom he also 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 (yusho), 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. In this tournament, 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. Despite being promoted back to makushita for the Nagoya tournament, he suffered a left knee ligaments injury during a practice session and had to withdraw from the tournament (kyujo), only to be 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 juryo. In November 2017, he was competing for the makushita division championship but failed after being defeated by former juryo wrestler Tochihiryu 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.
Juryo Career[]
In March 2019, Kiribayama was finally promoted to the juryo 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 sanyaku 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 kesho-mawashi representing a black parrot. Kirishima moved through the juryo division in just five tournaments. His fellow Mongolian, Yokozuna Kakuryu, 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 Kakuryu. He also expressed his desire to be tsuyuharai at Kakuryu'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 juryo championship along Ikioi, Kaisei and Azumaryu. 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 Career[]
In preparation for his tournament, he showed encouraging signs in training, having defeated 4-year makuuchi-veteran Shodai, and revealed that he would indeed serve as an assistant to Kakuryu's ring-entering ceremony. Before the tournament, he also received a kesho-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 juryo, on the following day. From Day 8 onwards, he won against Kotoeko 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 Ichinojo 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 ozeki 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 Daieisho. 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 Daieisho'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 Daieisho. Kiribayama's first top-division championship was confirmed after the ringside judges agreed in a mono-ii that Daieisho touched the ground before Kiribayama stepped out of the dohyo. 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 yusho 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 ozeki by winning at least 10 matches in the May 2023 tournament.
Ozeki Career[]
Kiribayama after winning his first top division championship (c. 2023)
In the May 2023 tournament Kiribayama secured the required tenth win with a victory over then-current ozeki Takakeisho. 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 ozeki 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 ozeki.
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 ozeki 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 ozeki.
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 kyujo 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 Musoyama at the May 2000 tournament that a newly promoted ozeki had to withdraw on the first day of a tournament, and the fifth time in total since the start of the Showa era. A few days later it was announced that Kirishima would participate on Day 4 of the tournament against Kotonowaka. The new ozeki 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 dohyo from behind to secure his first win at the ozeki rank. Despite his comeback, Kirishima nevertheless reached a negative score (make-koshi) when he suffered a sixth defeat to the former ozeki Asanoyama on Day 14 of the tournament.
Kirishima defeats Kotonowaka (c. 2023)
During the 2023 September tournament, Kirishima entered as a competitor under kadoban status, having to record at least eight victories to save his ozeki rank. On the thirteenth day, he scored a victory over newly promoted-ozeki Hoshoryu, 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 Daieisho 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 ozeki Takakeisho 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 January 2024 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 ozeki, Hoshoryu, 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 or defeated 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 Kakuryu 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-ozeki 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.
Personal Life[]
- Kirishima is sponsored by Italian jewelry brand, MIMI, and on May 7th, 2019, they presented Kirishima with a new kesho-mawashi. On January 28th, 2020, Nestle Cafe presented Kirishima with a kesho-mawashi. His stable has been using a Nestle Cafe coffee machine since 2015.
- Before Kakuryu moved into his stable, Kirishima still didn't competley adapt to Japanese culture. Kakuryu helped him quite a bit, such as overcoming his dislike for natto.
- Kirishima's hobbies include drawing.
Fighting Style[]
Kiribayama defeats Sadanoumi by shitatenage (underarm throw)
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 yorikiri (force out) and nage (throws), both underarm and overarm. In the run-up to his top division promotion he increased his weight by 100kg to 140kg, 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 Asashoryu.
Record[]
Division Results[]
- Total: 335-222-17/555 (51 basho)
- Makuuchi: 196-145-4/339 (23 basho)
- Juryo: 45-30/75 (5 basho)
- Makushita: 60-39-13/99 (16 basho)
- Sandanme: 23-5/28 (4 basho)
- Jonidan: 6-1/7 (1 basho)
- Jonokuchi: 5-2/7 (1 basho)
Championships[]
- 2 Makuuchi Championships (March 2023)
- 1st (March 2023)
- 2nd (November 2023)
- 1 Makushita Championship (May 2018)
- 1 Sandanme Championship (November 2015)
Achievements[]
- Special Prizes: Technique Prize (3), Fighting Spirit Prize (1)
Shikona History[]
- Kiribayama Tetsuo (2015.03 - 2023.05)
- Kirishima Tetsuo (2023.07 - )
Gallery[]
JSA Profile Pictures and Tegata[]
Career Overview[]
