Kiribayama becomes the ninth Mongolian-born champion in Japanese sumo

On 26 March, new sekiwake Kiribayama clinched his first career title by defeating Komusubi Daieisho twice on the last day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Kiribayama, who is from Mongolia, entered the 15th and final day of the meet at Edion Arena Osaka with one win behind front runner Daieisho.

Kiribayama, who was born to a family of nomads in Dornod Province in eastern Mongolia, was a judo enthusiast before coming to Japan for a trial, where he caught the attention of stable master Michinoku. He made his professional debut at the 2015 Summer Grand Sumo Tournament when he was 19 years old. He was promoted to the top division in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in 2020.

Kiribayama is renowned for not giving up in a fight, as well as his technique of grabbing the front of his opponent’s mawashi belt. He will aim to be promoted to ozeki rank at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in May.

One criterion for the promotion is taking 33 wins while holding one of the three ranks below Yokozuna within the three latest tournaments. Kiribayama clinched 23 wins in the last two tournaments, including 11 wins in the previous New Year tourney as Komusubi. The tournament was the fourth held without solo Yokozuna Terunofuji, who withdrew before Day 1.

Kiribayama is the ninth Mongolian-born champion, following Asashoryu with 25 titles, Hakuho with 45, Harumafuji with nine, Kyokutenho with one, Kakuryu with six, Terunofuji with seven, Tamawashi with two and Ichinojo with one.