Kirishima, Kotonowaka, Nishikigi training news

[Moti Dichne]

Ozeki Kirishima went to Sadogatake beya for degeiko yesterday, facing Kotonowaka and others, 11-3.  First degeiko since coming to Nagoya and a lot of sweat. "I wanted us all to patiently give it our all.. I'll be going about it as usual. I will be less nervous than last basho.." he said.

Kotonowaka welcomed Kirishima and others who came to train. He was 8-5. He was asked about keeping up with his three rivals who are vying for an Ozeki promotion. "I'm not keeping up with them, I'll be going with the feeling that I need to overtake them..If I don't go with that feeling, I won't be able to move upwards where I need to go.." he said.

32 year old veteran Nishikigi is at his highest rank of Maegashira 1 E, very close to sanyaku. He was at the same training session at Sadogatake beya yesterday and had 13 bouts against Kirishima and others. "I really want to get promoted  (to sanyaku).. First thing- kachikoshi. I hope my body survives this heat. As I become an old man, it gets increasingly difficult to shake off the fatigue.." he jested.