Haru Basho. Senshuraku: The Spring Tournament concluded in Osaka, Japan on March 22.
According to MiddleAsianNews, the Emperor's Cup was won by the sekiwake Kirishima, also known as Lkhagvasuren Byambachuluun, at the Palace of Physical Culture and Sports.
Despite losing to Kotozakura on the senshuraku (final day of the tournament), Kirishima will receive the title of ozeki.
The Emperor's Cup has become an important achievement for him, surpassing the two black balls he received as a result of the tournament. The judging committee proposed to elevate the 29-year-old Mongolian rikishi to the second rank in the hierarchy of wrestlers.
The final decision will be made by the Board of Directors of the Japan Sumo Association on March 25.
Lkhagvasuren Byambachuluun was born on April 24, 1996, in Dornod Aimag in eastern Mongolia.
From a young age, he learned horseback riding, helping his father with pasture work.
At eighteen, possessing knowledge in judo, he went to Japan, dreaming of becoming a professional in sumo.
Lkhagvasuren Byambachuluun was accepted for training at the Mitinoku school along with four other Mongolians.
The coach, former ozeki Kirishima, could take only one foreign trainee, and he chose Lkhagvasuren, who weighed only 70 kg and was eager to work hard to help his parents.
Kirishima's rikishi career began in May 2015.
The name Shikona Kiribayama consists of three kanji: 霧 — "mist," taken from the name Kirishima, 馬 — "horse," symbolizing Mongolia, and 山 — "mountain."
In January 2019, he gained weight and became a sekitori, and in January 2020, he made his debut in the top division, makuuchi.
In March 2023, Kiribayama won the Emperor's Cup, and in May he received the title of ozeki and a new shikona — Kirishima.
In November 2023, he became a yusho holder again.
Lkhagvasuren Byambachuluun is married and has a daughter and a son.
Kirishima enjoys yakiniku, loves computer games, and drawing.
The wrestler's height is 184 cm, and his weight is 145 kg.
