The ranking of the Grand Sumo Tournament to be held in September was announced, and Hoshoryu from Mongolia, who was newly promoted to sekiwake, interviewed and said, "I'm getting closer to my goal little by little. Don't stop here. The next ranking is also I want to practice hard and do my best,” he said enthusiastically.
Twenty-three-year-old Toyoshoryu won the Nagoya tournament in July with 9 wins and 6 losses, and was newly promoted to sekiwake in the autumn tournament ranking announced on the 29th.
Hoshoryu held an online press conference and said, "I couldn't believe it when my master called me to congratulate me. I'm getting closer and closer to my goal."
Regarding continuing to participate in the previous tournament despite an injury to his right leg, "My master told me that I could take a break without overdoing it, but my ranking would drop significantly, and I didn't want to show that to the people who supported me. After winning the match, my boss told me that I did it, and I was happy,” he said.
Also, about winning three places in a row in the komusubi, he said proudly, "I'm no longer pushed by my opponents. I've gotten bigger and I'm doing what I do."
Then, looking ahead to the autumn tournament at Shin Sekiwake, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I can't stop here. I have a next ranking, so I want to train hard and do my best. Of course, I want to win."
The Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament will begin on September 11th at the Kokugikan in Ryogoku, Tokyo.