Newly promoted ozeki Kirishima won his first bout at sumo's second-highest rank, dispatching komusubi Kotonawaka on Wednesday after missing the first three days of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with bruised ribs.
The lone ozeki in the absence of the injured Takakeisho, Kirishima assumed top billing on Day 4 at Dolphins Arena after the withdrawal of sole yokozuna Terunofuji (1-3) due to knee trouble.
Terunofuji's exit followed his first back-to-back losses since the September 2022 meet, from which he also withdrew before having surgery on both knees and sitting out the next three tourneys.
In the day's final bout, Kirishima (1-1-2) showed no obvious signs of rib pain as he charged in low from the jump in search of a belt grip.
Kotonowaka (2-2) countered with an arm lock, but the Mongolian grappler previously known as Kiribayama pushed him out from behind before he could make use of the hold.
All three promotion-seeking sekiwake finished the day at 3-1, with Daieisho taking his first loss, while both Wakamotoharu and Hoshoryu got back on the winning track at the 15-day tournament.
Daieisho became the latest big name to fall victim to No. 1 maegashira Nishikigi, whose perfect 4-0 start has included wins against Terunofuji and Hoshoryu. The sekiwake was quick off the mark but left himself open to an arm-grabbing force out as he surged forward.
Wakamotoharu logged a straightforward victory over No. 3 Midorifuji (0-4), driving him back toward the edge and slapping him down, while Hoshoryu forced out No. 2 Mitakeumi (0-4), eventually dislodging the former ozeki as he dug his heels into the straw.
