Back in Makushita After 69 Basho, 36-Year-Old Nishikigi Gets His First Win: 'I'm Tired'
Nikkan Sports reports that East Makushita 2 Nishikigi (Isenoumi), 36, beat West Makushita 3 Tochitaikai (Kasugano), 27, by oshidashi on Day 3 for his first win, evening his record at 1-1. With his feet sliding, he kept low and chased his opponent almost at a run, diving in at the edge for the push-out. 'I'm tired,' he muttered afterward.
'I was being slapped down, so I had no choice but to get my feet out. It was a reaction and footwork like never before,' he said. 'One win for now.' After 11 and a half years as a sekitori, he went 6-9 at West Juryo 14 in September and is wrestling in makushita for the first time in 69 basho, since March 2015. 'I need three more,' he said of kachi-koshi.