Kirishima preparations

[Moti Dichne]

Returning to Ozeki Kirishima took part in his first sumo keiko session of the Haru Jungyo. He chose Makuuchi Fujiryouga for some sanban-keiko  (continuously facing the same opponent) and went 10-3. Sanban keiko, where you choose your opponent, is a privilege of the Ozeki and Yokozuna. When "Ozeki Kirishima" was announced at the venue, cheers erupted. "It was different. It's nostalgic. It gives me good strength," he said, savoring his Ozeki status, which he has regained after winning his third yusho last basho and being promoted back to Ozeki for the first time in 12 basho. The keiko included receiving his opponent's attacks with his chest, pushing him out, executing left and right shitate and uwatenages and executing a confident tsukotoshi move as well. In the third bout, he was pushed straight back, and was pushed out. "It was fast-paced oshizumo. If I made even a slight mistake, I was pushed back.." He injured his lower back during the Komatsu tour on the 7th and had to withdraw from the matches, but said, "It got better in a day or two. It felt strange when I was doing squats with Wakamotoharu on my back. I've been made to do that since my previous Oyakata," indicating that there were no problems. "I woke up this morning feeling good, so I thought it was about time to start  sumo keiko. I've been doing the basic exercises properly, so I've got my body in a condition where I'm ready to start at any time," he said. Kirishima aims not only to maintain the rank of Ozeki but also to be promoted to Yokozuna. Looking ahead to Natsu, he said, "I'll get my feel back from here on and train so hard that I won't allow myself to lose (even in practice)."