The Japan Sumo Association announced the new rankings for the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament (starting May 10 at Ryogoku Kokugikan) on April 27, confirming that Kirishima (30, from Otake stable) has been promoted to ozeki for the second time. Since the current kadoban system was introduced at the 1969 Nagoya tournament, this marks only the third time a wrestler has returned to ozeki without benefiting from the special rule of 10 wins in the immediately following tournament after demotion—joining Kaiketsu and Terunofuji in this exclusive club.
Here is the full transcript of the press conference held at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
―Now that you’ve returned to ozeki, what was your impression when you saw the ranking?
**Kirishima:** I saw it for the first time just now, and I felt like, “Finally.”
―Seeing the title “Ozeki” above your shikona (ring name) Kirishima…
**Kirishima:** This is just the beginning.
―So you’re thinking about what’s ahead?
**Kirishima:** Yes. Going forward, I don’t want to dwell too much on the past. I want to focus on the present.
―More on the future than the past, then?
**Kirishima:** Exactly. I want to think carefully about what lies ahead. The past holds good memories, and I want to keep those as they are.
―It took two years to return to ozeki. How did you feel during that period?
Kirishima also shared a lighter moment during the press conference, praising himself with a laugh: “I’m really amazing, aren’t I?” He added that he has been practicing Japanese with his young daughter in a friendly competition, using the daily exercises as an opportunity to improve his language skills while bonding with her.