September 2026 profile. Ranks, measurements, announced pairings and the six-tournament breakdown below reflect the Japanese article’s source check on 11 September 2026.
After going 10–5 at East Maegashira 13 in July, Nishikifuji climbed to West Maegashira 7 for September. That made me want to watch the first two days closely. The announced opponents were Fujiseiun on opening day and Asanoyama on Day 2. Both favour their right arm inside; Nishikifuji favours his left.
The same force-out, but different grips to reach for
The Association’s preceding-six-tournament breakdown lists yorikiri, a force-out, at 36%; oshidashi, a frontal push-out, at 26%; and hatakikomi, a slap-down, at 10%. A left-hand-inside grip means his own left arm goes inside the opponent’s arm. Against a right-hand-inside wrestler, I watch both who gets an arm in first and whether the opponent then changes the grip. Numbers alone cannot settle the grip contest or tell us who will win.
From a 2016 debut to ten wins in Makuuchi
His professional debut was in September 2016, his Juryo debut in September 2020 and his Makuuchi debut in July 2022. His highest rank is Maegashira 3, and he has one Juryo championship and one Fighting Spirit Prize. July’s ten wins did not reserve any September victories. They did, however, explain the position he had reached after moving six places up the maegashira ranks.
Choosing a side in football and baseball
He lists football and baseball as hobbies in the official questionnaire, and supports Inter and the Yomiuri Giants. Detective Conan appears among his favourites, too. Older results tables may list him under his former ring name, Ogasawara. That is not a different wrestler to skip past; it is another part of Nishikifuji’s story.
At a glance
| September 2026 rank | West Maegashira 7 |
|---|---|
| Stable | Isegahama stable |
| From | Towada, Aomori |
| Height / weight | 184 cm / 155 kg |
| Listed strengths | Left-hand-inside grip and force-outs |
Meet his announced opening-day opponent, Fujiseiun · Find a wrestler to follow
Source facts checked in the Japanese article on 11 September 2026: the Japan Sumo Association’s official profile (Japanese), including biographical details, tournament records, winning techniques and questionnaire answers. Percentages are the Association’s breakdown of winning finishes over the preceding six tournaments; they are not win rates across all bouts. The viewing suggestions are the writer’s interpretation. The official bout listings change with the tournament and day, so check the date shown there.