FUKUOKA - Sekiwake Fujinokawa will be looking to strengthen his credentials for promotion to ozeki at the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament after posting an 11-4 record in his sekiwake debut at the previous meet.
A double-digit win total at the 15-day meet would further strengthen Fujinokawa's case for promotion early next year. The unofficial benchmark for reaching ozeki is considered to be 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments at sekiwake or komusubi.
After arriving in Fukuoka, where the next tournament will be held, the 21-year-old Fujinokawa engaged in practice bouts with all three ozeki -- Kotozakura, Aonishiki and Kirishima.
"To get stronger, I need to face wrestlers ranked above me. That's why I wanted to practice with the ozeki," he said.
Following extensive sparring sessions with Kotozakura, maegashira Kotoshoho and Kotoeiho on Thursday, Fujinokawa appeared satisfied, saying, "Things went well."
Starting the year as No. 7 maegashira, the 177-centimeter, 125-kilogram dynamo continued his rapid rise through the rankings and reached sekiwake at the September tournament.
While expectations are growing for an ozeki promotion bid, Fujinokawa said he is focused on solidifying his place at sekiwake and downplayed the speculation, saying, "I'll just do my best as usual."
