Kisenosato promoted to ozeki.

**Swami** · 11-30-2011, 07:11 PM

isenosato promoted to ozeki
Wednesday, 30 November 2011 Kisenosato was formally promoted Wednesday to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki after his elevation was finalized at a Japan Sumo Association executive board meeting.

Kisenosato's promotion was also endorsed at a JSA meeting to determine the rankings for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament that will get under way at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 8, when the 25-year-old steps onto the dohyo ring as one of five active ozeki wrestlers.

Known as the man who put an end to yokozuna Hakuho's streak of 63 consecutive wins a year ago, Kisenosato is the second wrestler in as many tournaments to secure promotion to ozeki following Kotoshogiku, who got the green light after the autumn meet in September.

"He (Kisenosato) has been solid through the last several tournaments. I want him to start putting himself in title contention," said JSA Chairman Hanaregoma. "I want him to keep doing what he is doing, work hard in training and aim to become yokozuna."

The JSA's officiating committee had voted unanimously Sunday in favor of promoting Kisenosato ahead of his final bout at the Kyushu tournament against Kotoshogiku, whom he lost to, finishing with a 10-5 record at the 15-day meet.

Under the JSA's loosely defined guidelines, a total of 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments is normally considered a requirement for a move up to ozeki. Kisenosato had reached 32 wins but the officiating committee, headed by former yokozuna Takanohana, made an exception based on his consistently strong performances and his potential.

Kisenosato had to make his run at ozeki while still coming to terms with the recent death of his mentor and stablemaster Naruto.

"I have come this far and am full of gratitude to my later mentor," said Kisenosato. "I will keep on trying my hardest and aim for the top."

Sumo elder Nishiiwa (now Naruto), who took over Kisenosato's stable after Naruto passed away, said, "He has been giving it his best shot for a long time and has been a good teacher to the young wrestlers at the stable. He has become strong in many different ways."

A native of Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, Kisenosato, whose real name is Yutaka Hagiwara, made his professional debut at age 15 in the 2002 spring meet and became the second-youngest top-division wrestler in sumo history two and a half years later at 18 years and three months.

The pace of his climb up the rankings then slowed somewhat, as he needed 42 tournaments to earn the ozeki promotion

Swami

**Swami** · 12-01-2011, 06:56 PM

Kisenosato promoted to second-highest rank
Kyodo
Kisenosato was formally promoted Wednesday to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki after his elevation was finalized at a Japan Sumo Association executive board meeting.

Kisenosato

Kisenosato's promotion was also endorsed at a JSA meeting to determine the rankings for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament that will get under way at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 8, when the 25-year-old steps onto the dohyo ring as one of five active ozeki wrestlers.

Known as the man who put an end to yokozuna Hakuho's streak of 63 consecutive wins a year ago, Kisenosato is the second wrestler in as many tournaments to secure promotion to ozeki following Kotoshogiku, who got the green light after the autumn meet in September.

"He (Kisenosato) has been solid through the last several tournaments. I want him to start putting himself in title contention," said JSA chairman Hanaregoma. "I want him to keep doing what he is doing, work hard in training and aim to become yokozuna."

The JSA's officiating committee had voted unanimously Sunday in favor of promoting Kisenosato ahead of his final bout at the Kyushu tournament against Kotoshogiku, whom he lost to, finishing with a 10-5 record at the 15-day meet.

Under the JSA's loosely defined guidelines, a total of 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments is normally considered a requirement for a move up to ozeki. Kisenosato had reached 32 wins but the officiating committee, headed by former yokozuna Takanohana, made an exception based on his consistently strong performances and his potential.

Kisenosato had to make his run at ozeki while still coming to terms with the recent death of his mentor and stablemaster Naruto.

Swami