Nishikifuji Ryūsei

, born 22 July 1996 as is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Towada. He wrestles for the Isegahama stable and made his debut in September 2016 and reached the top division in July 2022. His highest rank has been ''maegashira'' 3. With the exception of the ''sandanme'' division, Nishikifuji has won championships in each of the four lower divisions of professional sumo, as well as a ''jūryō'' championship. He also earned a special prize in his ''makuuchi'' debut in July 2022.

Early life and sumo beginnings

Born in Towada, Aomori, Nishikifuji began to wrestle in his third year of elementary school at Towada's Sanbongi Elementary School because his mother encouraged him to take up the sport, although he himself was reluctant to get involved in wrestling. Nishikifuji continued to practice throughout his time at Towada's Junior High School, where he placed in the top eight at the National Junior High School Sumo Tournament in his sixth year. In senior high school, he went on to Sanbongi Agricultural High School's Agricultural Machinery Department, a school famous for its sumo club, along with Ōnoshō, and while there he placed third in the individual division in the National High School Usa Tournament. After high school, he joined Kindai University along Midorifuji, but dropped out and the two decided to turn pro at the same time in 2016, both joining Isegahama stable. Since then, he and Midorifuji have maintained a friendly rivalry.

Career

During the early years of his career, Nishikifuji wrestled under his real name Ogasawara and first served as '' tsukebito'' (assistant) to senior wrestler Aminishiki. In his first ''jonokuchi'' tournament, he tied with Midorifuji (then named Ihara) and the two faced off for the title in a playoff on the final day, with Nishikifuji emerging victorious. After his first two tournaments, he was given the ''shikona'', or ring name, , from the kanji in Aminishiki's ''shikona'' (錦), because he took him under his wing and helped train him; and from his master (former ''yokozuna'' Asahifuji) old ring name (富士). After Aminishiki's retirement in 2019, Nishikifuji served as Terutsuyoshi's ''tsukebito''. Then promoted to ''jonidan'', Nishikifuji again faced Midorifuji for the division title, and the two clashed again in the playoff, with Nishikifuji emerging victorious once again. Their senior wrestler Terunofuji commented that the Isegahama stable particularly enjoyed seeing the two fight against each other.
In September 2019, Nishikifuji was ranked ''makushita'' 3, putting him in a position for possible promotion to the ''jūryō'' division. He however injured his left elbow and had to undergo surgery during the same month. The period of recovery following the operation forced him to sit out the November tournament. During this period he particularly thanked his mentor Aminishiki for his care. In March 2020, Nishikifuji claimed the ''makushita'' championship with a perfect record, having defeated Kyokusōten who was also undefeated in his first 6 bouts. In August of the same year, Nishikifuji's promotion to the ''jūryō'' division was announced, coinciding with his stablemate Terunofuji winning the July 2020 ''makuuchi'' tournament championship on his return to the top division. Commenting on these two championships won by the Isegahama stable during the same period, Nishikifuji confided that he and Terunofuji hoped to create a "whirlwind" by winning their respective divisions. However, following two poor tournaments, Nishikifuji was demoted to the ''makushita'' division for the January 2021 tournament. During this tournament, Nishikifuji competed for the ''makushita'' championship despite losing on Day 2 to Ichiyamamoto. Surprisingly, the playoff to determine the division winner was between nine wrestlers tied to just one defeat, a first since the 1996 July tournament in Nagoya. Despite winning his first match against Shōhōryū, Nishikifuji was defeated by Shiba and was eliminated early from the title race, which that year went to Sakigake (from Shibatayama stable). His 6–1 score, however, saw Nishikifuji promoted back to the ''jūryō'' division.

In May 2022, Nishikifuji won the ''jūryō'' championship in a playoff against Oitekaze wrestler Daiamami. His championship also coincided with his stablemate ''yokozuna'' Terunofuji's seventh top division championship. The May 2022 championship was also the last tournament before the ''danpatsu-shiki'' ceremony of Nishikifuji's mentor, Aminishiki, which took place on the 29th of the same month. Commenting on his mentor's retirement, he shared his satisfaction at having won the championship before the ceremony.

Due to his jūryō championship the previous tournament, Nishikifuji was promoted to sumo's top division, debuting in the rank of ''maegashira'' 17. At the time of his promotion he confided his desire to face his former classmate Ōnoshō, who had made his debut in the ''makuuchi'' division in May 2017. He went on to get double-digit wins, finishing the '' basho'' with a 10-5 record. That same tournament he was granted the Fighting Spirit special prize, for finishing his debut in the top division with a strong winning record. During the May 2023 tournament, Nishikifuji injured the ligaments in his right leg and finished the tournament with a poor result. His condition did not improve as the July tournament of the same year approached, stating that he felt his participation was "forced".

Fighting style

Nishikifuji is a ''yotsu-sumo'' wrestler who favours clinch fighting techniques as opposed to pushing and thrusting (''oshi-sumo''). His preferred grip on his opponent's ''mawashi'' or belt is ''hidari-yotsu'', a right hand outside, left hand inside position. His favourite winning ''kimarite'' or technique is a straightforward ''yori-kiri'', or force out. However, Nishikifuji also worked to develop his thrusts and pushes techniques. It has been noted that Nishikifuji has great difficulty maintaining his weight during tournaments, forcing him to take his weight gains more seriously. On his promotion to the rank of ''jūryō'' he also communicated about his endurance work, which he considered weak and wished to strengthen.

Personal life

A few days before the start of the May 2023 tournament, Nishikifuji married a 24-year-old Japanese woman that he had been dating for a year and a half. The ceremony was held at Tokyo's Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, the same shrine where both his stablemaster Isegahama (the 63rd ''yokozuna'' Asahifuji) and his stablemate Terunofuji were married. Shortly before the start of the November 2023 tournament, the couple announced the birth of twins on 13 October.

Career record

See also

*Glossary of sumo terms
*List of active sumo wrestlers
* Active special prize winners

References

External links

*
Nishikifuji profile
on Isegahama stable official website
{{Jūryō rikishi banzuke
1996 births
Living people
Japanese sumo wrestlers
Kindai University alumni
People from Towada, Aomori