霧島’s Return to Ozeki: Sumo Wrestler Wins Championship & Makes History

March 25, 2026 Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor Health

Osaka, Japan – In a ceremony held today at the Edion Arena Osaka, Mongolian-born wrestler Bianchulen Dagvadorj, known as Kirishima, was formally reinstated as an ōzeki, the second-highest rank in sumo wrestling. The decision follows Kirishima’s victory in the recent Spring basho (tournament), marking his third career championship.

The Japan Sumo Association unanimously approved Kirishima’s re-promotion during a meeting this morning, according to reports from Yahoo! News Japan and the Yomiuri Shimbun. Association officials Ishinoe and Urafuku delivered the news to Kirishima at his heya (stable) in Sakai City, where he expressed his commitment to continued improvement. “I humbly accept this,” Kirishima stated, “and will strive to exert myself even more to reach greater heights.”

Kirishima’s return to the ōzeki rank is particularly noteworthy as it represents only the third instance since 1969 of a wrestler regaining the title after falling to the sekitori ranks below. The previous two wrestlers to achieve this feat were Kaijo and Terunofuji. Kirishima was initially promoted to ōzeki in 2023 but was demoted after six tournaments due to injuries, including neck problems. He subsequently worked to regain his form, achieving a 34-win record across three tournaments, surpassing the 33-win threshold generally considered necessary for re-promotion. His recent performance in the Spring basho, where he secured a 12-3 record, was similarly a key factor in the Association’s decision.

The promotion ceremony was broadcast live on YouTube by Nippon Television News, showcasing the significance of the event within the sumo world. According to a report in the Mainichi Shimbun, Kirishima’s mentor, former yokozuna Takanohana, played a crucial role in guiding him back to peak condition. The East Sports Web reported that Takanohana crafted a unique and forward-thinking acceptance speech for Kirishima, emphasizing the wrestler’s ambition to ultimately achieve the highest rank of yokozuna.

The next major event for Kirishima will be the Summer basho, scheduled to begin on May 10th at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The official rankings for the Summer tournament were also determined at today’s meeting of the Japan Sumo Association.