The Japan Sumo Association announced Monday its rankings for the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, placing ozeki Kisenosato, who will take his first crack at promotion to yokozuna, on the prestigious east wing for the fourth tournament in a row.
Kisenosato, who turns 27 on July 3, had an outstanding summer basho, remaining unbeaten until the penultimate day, when he fell out of his dead heat with yokozuna Hakuho, the eventual champion. Kisenosato's other defeat was on the final day, to rival ozeki Kotoshogiku.
The two consecutive defeats notwithstanding, the JSA yokozuna deliberation council deemed him worthy of a shot at sumo's highest rank for the tournament kicking off July 7 at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium — though he is expected to face a rigorous test that might require him to win the title, or at least come very close.