◆Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, Day 2 (May 11, Ryogoku Kokugikan)
Ozeki Kirishima (Otowayama) pushed out East Maegashira 2 Yoshinofuji (Isegahama) to claim his second consecutive victory. With a sharp initial charge, Kirishima executed a left-hand grab and a forearm throw, then pulled his opponent forward as he lowered his head, securing the win.
The previous day, he defeated West Maegashira 1 Takanosho (Minatogawa), marking his first victory as an ozeki since the second day of the 2024 Summer Grand Sumo Tournament—a drought of 727 days. “I don’t feel any difference from my first tenure as ozeki. I need to stay focused,” Kirishima said, tightening his resolve. With Yokozuna Hoshoryu (Tatsunami) pulling out from this day onward, joining Yokozuna Onosato (Nishonoseki) and Ozeki Anshoryu (Ajigawa) on the sidelines, Kirishima now bears a heavy responsibility as one of the few top-ranked wrestlers remaining.
