Haru Basho. Senshuraku: The Spring Tournament concluded on March 22 in the Japanese city of Osaka.
According to information from MiddleAsianNews, the Emperor's Cup was won by the sekiwake Kirishima, also known as Lkhagvasuren Byambachuluun, at the Palace of Physical Culture and Sports in Osaka.
Despite losing in the final match against Kotozakura, Kirishima will be awarded the title of ozeki.
The Emperor's Cup he won offset two black balls received during the tournament. The judging committee recommended returning the 29-year-old Mongolian rikishi to the second tier of the wrestling hierarchy.
The final decision will be made on March 25 by the Board of Directors of the Japan Sumo Association.
Lkhagvasuren Byambachuluun was born on April 24, 1996, in Dornod, eastern Mongolia.
As a child, he learned horseback riding while helping his father herd sheep.
At 18, possessing basic judo skills, he went to Japan with the intention of becoming a professional sumo wrestler.
Lkhagvasuren, along with four other Mongolians, underwent a short internship at the Mitinoku school.
The coach, former ozeki Kirishima, who was allowed to have only one foreigner, chose Lkhagvasuren when he learned of his desire to work hard and earn money to support his family.
In May 2015, he began his career as a rikishi.
The name Shikona Kiribayama consists of three characters: 霧 — "fog" (from Kirishima), 馬 — "horse" (a symbol of Mongolia), 山 — "mountain".
In January 2019, he became a sekitori, and in January 2020, he made his debut in the top division, makuuchi.
Kiribayama won the Emperor's Cup in March 2023, received the title of ozeki in May, and a new wrestling ring name — Kirishima.
In November 2023, he again became the holder of the yusho.
Lkhagvasuren Byambachuluun is married to a Mongolian woman, and they have a daughter and a son.
Kirishima enjoys yakiniku, video games, and drawing.
His height is 184 cm, and his fighting weight is 145 kg.
