Sumo- 2017 Aki Basho

[jnight]

Aki Day 1: Lone yokozuna Harumafuji starts with victory


Details
Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 10 September 2017

Harumafuji got off to a winning start as the only yokozuna standing at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament with a convincing win against komusubi Tochiozan on Sunday.

With grand champions Hakuho -- the winner of the Summer tourney in July -- Kisenosato and Kakuryu all missing from this basho due to injuries, Harumafuji has been singlehandedly left to uphold the reputation of sumo's highest rank.

While 14 days remain at the meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Harumafuji at least started well Sunday by dismissing Tochiozan in the day's final bout.

Harumafuji put the overhand grip on the belt with his left from the tachiai, before sending Tochiozan tumbling on the sandy surface for his 26th victory in 34 career meetings over the Kasugano stable wrestler.

Harumafuji had admitted to being anxious on his way into the arena.

"I'm a little nervous," he said. "It's my first time to be in a situation like this. But I'll try to block all that out and focus on doing the things I'm supposed to be doing."

"I feel badly for the fans with the yokozuna sitting out. I just have to compete the way I know how to compete."

On Monday, Harumafuji will face No. 1 maegashira Tochinoshin, against whom the Mongolian is 22-6.

Tochinoshin on Sunday was felled at the hands of ozeki Takayasu, who managed to save face for his rank after Terunofuji and Goeido lost.

Terunofuji was tripped up by second-ranked Hokutofuji, while Goeido was beaten by former ozeki Kotoshogiku.

The two sekiwake in the field, Mitakeumi and Yoshikaze, both lost to third-ranked maegashira wrestlers Onosho and Chiyotairyu, respectively.

Only one yokozuna in this tourney. Good matches on day one.

[jnight]

Harumafuji, the lone yokozuna competing at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, won for the second day in a row Monday, but the fates of the three ozeki were mixed, Goeido being the only one able to claim victory.

Terunofuji, who along with Goeido is a "kadoban" ozeki threatened with demotion with a losing record, and Takayasu, looking for his first championship, both lost to lower-ranked grapplers on the second day of the 15-day meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

Wrestlers in the top makuuchi division are hoping to capitalize on the absence of three yokozuna -- Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato -- who are all out with injuries.

In Monday's last bout, Harumafuji easily twirled down top-ranked maegashira Tochinoshin (0-2), the Mongolian grand champion improving his head-to-head record against the Georgian to 23-6.

On match earlier, Goeido, who started the tourney with a defeat on the opening day, sent No. 2 maegashira Hokutofuji (1-1) out with a flurry of shoves. Goeido, who won last year's Autumn meet with a perfect 15-0 mark, is now 2-0 against Hokutofuji.

With sumo's second-highest rank on the line, Terunofuji has two losses after being edged out of the raised dohyo ring by No. 1 maegashira Kotoshogiku (2-0), who had beaten Goeido on Sunday and is set to meet Harumafuji on Tuesday.

Takayasu was shoved out at the hands of Mongolian komusubi Tamawashi, leaving both wrestlers at 1-1 and both limping off backstage. Tamawashi won his third consecutive bout against Takayasu and is now 9-6 against him.

The two sekiwake both lost their second straight match, Mitakeumi falling to No. 3 maegashira Chiyotairyu (2-0) and Yoshikaze succumbing to the powerful thrusts of third-ranked maegashira Onosho (2-0).

Komusubi Tochiozan also stumbled to his second defeat in as many days after being edged out of the ring by No. 4 maegashira Shohozan (2-0).

Other rank-and-file grapplers with 2-0 records include fifth-ranked Takakeisho, No. 7 Ikioi, ninth-ranked Takanoiwa and No. 11 Daieisho.

Meanwhile, yokozuna Kisenosato, who is expected to sit out the entire Autumn tourney due to lingering injuries to his left upper arm and chest muscles sustained in March and to his left ankle in July, resumed basic training Monday.

Sad news about yokozuna Kisenosato. He's one of my favorites. I hope he's back in November.

[jnight]

PRESS ROOM: News
Aki Day 3: No do-over for Harumafuji as yokozuna goes down to Kotoshogiku

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Harumafuji's plea for timeout went unanswered as the yokozuna was handed his first defeat of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament by top-ranked maegashira Kotoshogiku in the most unexpected fashion Tuesday.

Harumafuji (2-1), the only grand champion competing here, never put up a fight on the third day of the meet in an unusual contest that saw Kotoshogiku virtually gifted the win.

The two locked horns from the tachiai as normal, but Harumafuji immediately tried to restart the bout by calling for time, repeatedly slapping Kotoshogiku on the back.

The chief judge, however, saw a clean and fair start, letting the fight continue. Kotoshogiku kept pushing, plowing Harumafuji out of the ring.

The ringside judges also saw no irregularities with the way the match unfolded as Kotoshogiku was declared the winner. The former ozeki is joined by six others at a perfect 3-0.

"I managed to keep my concentration," said Kotoshogiku, who earned his first career kimboshi -- a win over a yokozuna by a rank-and-file wrestler. "Not bad, not bad."

Harumafuji will try to bounce back on Wednesday against No. 2 maegashira Hokutofuji (2-1), who won by default after ozeki Takayasu pulled out of the tournament due to injury. Popular maegashira Ura also withdrew on Tuesday.

The two remaining ozeki, Terunofuji (1-2) and Goeido (2-1), both won, the former picking up his first victory of the basho off No. 1 Tochinoshin (0-3)

[jnight]

Aki Day 4: Former ozeki Kotoshogiku surges to 4th win in Tokyo

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Former ozeki Kotoshogiku cruised to his fourth win on Wednesday, the fourth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

With three yokozuna and one ozeki having pulled out of the competition, the fourth day of the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan dawned without a single member of sumo's top four ranks holding an unbeaten 3-0 record. It was the first time that had happened since January 2017.

The win by Kotoshogiku, now fighting at the rank of No. 1 maegashira, left him in a five-way tie for the lead.

A day after he beat a yokuzuna for the first time in his career as a rank-and-filer, Kotoshogiku calmly lay in wait for Yoshikaze (0-4). Kotoshogiku absorbed the sekiwake's charge and executed a nifty armlock throw.

It was Kotoshogiku's 22nd victory against his opponent in 27 career bouts.

No. 3 maegashira Onosho also improved to 4-0 when he rocked struggling ozeki Terunofuji back on the initial charge. The smaller and stouter maegashira came in low and at the instant his opponent teetered backward, Onosho pulled him forward and sent the ozeki slamming to the sandy surface.

"I'm happy about this," said the 21-year-old Onosho. "I focused on executing my style of sumo and today I moved well."

After a 1-5 record in July, Terunofuji (1-3) needs a minimum of eight wins to secure his ozeki status for November's Kyushu tourney.

Ozeki Goeido (3-1), who is also under the gun to post a winning record in Tokyo, got a lukewarm round of applause for his non-confrontational victory over winless No. 1 maegashira Tochinoshin. On the initial charge, Goeido leaped to one side and shoved the overeager Tochinoshin out to his fourth loss.

The day ended with Harumafuji (2-2) suffering a second straight defeat. The yokozuna got off to a quick start but instead of a controlled, straight-ahead forceout, second-ranked maegashira Hokutofuji was able to grab Harumafuji's arm.

The two spun around until the yokozuna had his back to the straw and was easily forced out.

"I can't believe this," said Hokutofuji of his first career yokozuna scalp. "When he slammed into me, my body reacted well."

A big win for Hokutofiji.

Onosho continues to impress. A win against an ozeki.

Sad to hear about Takayasu. He's a veteran I enjoy seeing. I like how his stablemaster dishes out the bitter, real truth.

[Kunoichi]

I never followed sumo but it's great to see some of these matches. Much more to it that many people realize. Do you have favorites?

[jnight]

Aki Day 5: Onosho upsets Harumafuji, remains perfect at Autumn tourney

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Up-and-coming Onosho upset Harumafuji in his first match against a yokozuna on Thursday, becoming the only wrestler with a perfect 5-0 record at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

The 21-year-old No. 3 maegashira dodged the Mongolian grand champion's forceful shoves and got him off balance before slapping him down into a forward somersault on the raised dohyo ring on the fifth day of the 15-day tourney at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

"I wanted to tackle the match with courage but without being too worked up, and I was able to do that," said Onosho, who also fought in the day's final bout in the top makuuchi division for the first time.

Asked how he feels to be the sole leader one-third into the tourney, he said, "I don't want to think about that too much. I want to concentrate on taking one bout a day and just do sumo my own way."

Onosho, who on Wednesday beat Terunofuji in his first meeting with an ozeki, handed Harumafuji (2-3), the lone yokozuna competing at this meet, his third straight loss.

Four other wrestlers who began the day with 4-0 records -- top maegashira and former ozeki Kotoshogiku, No. 3 maegashira Chiyotairyu, ninth-ranked maegashira Takanoiwa and No. 11 maegashira Daieisho --lost their respective bouts.

Chiyotairyu fell to Goeido, who needs eight wins to keep his ozeki status and who improved his record to 4-1 to sit in an eight-way tie one win behind Onosho. Goeido and Onosho are set to meet for the first time Friday.

Terunofuji (1-4), another ozeki looking for a winning record to remain in sumo's second-highest rank, lost to No. 4 maegashira Shohozan (3-2) and walked off appearing in pain in his left knee.

The 35-year-old Yoshikaze (1-4), who returned to the third-highest sekiwake rank for the first time since the Spring tourney in March last year, shoved out second-ranked maegashira Hokutofuji (3-2), who had defeated Harumafuji on Wednesday.

The other sekiwake Mitakeumi (2-3) edged out winless top-ranked maegashira Tochinoshin.

In a battle of two komusubi that saw one false start, Tochiozan picked up his first win of the tourney as he watched Mongolian Tamawashi (2-3) slip and fall amid an exchange of thrusts and throwing attempts.

Onosho is a man on fire now, beating the lone yokozuna. Impressive!

Sept 14, 2017 15:06:47 GMT -5 Kunoichi said:

I never followed sumo but it's great to see some of these matches. Much more to it that many people realize. Do you have favorites?

I like the young Onosho, Goeido, Ikioi, Kotoshogiku, and yokozuna Kisenosato. Fun to watch.

[jnight]

Aki Day 6: Goeido knocks off undefeated Onosho to earn share of lead

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Ozeki Goeido seized a share of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament lead on Friday, when he improved to 5-1 by knocking off previously unbeaten Onosho.

The 21-year-old Onosho, fighting as a No. 3 maegashira in just his third tournament in the elite makuuchi division, showed his inexperience as the 31-year-old ozeki led him into a trap on the sixth day of the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Goeido, who had dodged several opponents' opening charges as he searches for the eight wins he needs to maintain his rank for November's grand tournament, moved forward as if he were trying a conventional charge, but allowed the youngster to push him backward.

As Onosho appeared focused on earning a forceout win, Goeido pulled the rug out from under his opponent's feet. The ozeki deftly slipped to his left and before Onosho realized it he was heading out of the ring with the assist of shove from Goeido.

The result left four wrestlers tied for the lead with 5-1 records.

Former ozeki Kotoshogiku began the day at 4-1, but suffered his second straight defeat after his perfect 4-0 start. The No. 1 maegashira, who excels at maintaining his balance while driving opponents back with his powerful lower body, got a taste of his own medicine in his loss to Mitakeumi (3-3).

The sekiwake pressed forward relentlessly until Kotoshogiku changed his tack and tried to disengage. But as the former ozeki shifted his weight he became vulnerable, and the up-and-coming Mitakeumi toppled him with a beltless arm throw.

No. 11 maegashira Daieisho plowed out Arawashi (4-2) to earn his first win over his ninth-ranked opponent in three career bouts and improve his tournament record to 5-1. Early in the afternoon, No. 12 Daishomaru (5-1) handed makuuchi-division debutant Asanoyama his third defeat.

In the day's final bout, yokozuna Harumafuji avoided a fourth straight defeat, evening his record at 3-3 by forcing out No. 3 maegashira Chiyotairyu (4-2).

[jnight]

Goeido is two wins away from retaining his ozeki rank after defeating fifth-ranked maegashira Shodai at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.

Goeido, who needs a winning record to stay an ozeki after this tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan, overpowered Shodai (4-3) to roll to his sixth straight-victory after losing on opening day.

With three yokozuna and two ozeki out of the meet for the first time in nearly a century, Goeido is now second in rank behind only yokozuna Harumafuji (4-3), who won for the second day in a row by ushering Shohozan (4-3) out of the ring.

A day earlier, Goeido dealt rising No. 3 maegashira Onosho (6-1) his first defeat of the basho and followed up Saturday with another swift win, this time against Shodai, who was completely at the ozeki's mercy.

On Sunday, the midpoint of the 15-day tournament, Goeido will face komusubi Tamawashi (3-4), against whom he holds a 5-6 career record.

Joining Goeido at the top with six wins are Onosho, who beat second-ranked maegashira Hokutofuji (3-4), No. 11 Daieisho and No. 12 Daishomaru, who toppled Sadanoumi (0-2-5) and Tokushoryu (1-6), respectively.

With victory over fourth-ranked maegashira Shohozan, Harumafuji has managed to move back ahead in the win column but had lost three straight until Friday, when the Mongolian steadied his ship by getting the better of No. 3 maegashira Chiyotairyu (5-2).


Great slap fest with a few of these matches. Goeido and Onosho remain strong.

[jnight]

Aki Day 8: Goeido, Onosho, Daishomaru in 3-way lead at Autumn meet

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Ozeki Goeido and rank-and-filers Onosho and Daishomaru each improved his record to 7-1 on Sunday to retain a share of the lead midway through the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Goeido took little time to bulldoze Mongolian komusubi Tamawashi (3-5) out of the dohyo ring at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo and now needs one more win to secure a winning record at the 15-day meet to remain in sumo's second-highest rank.

Goeido evened his head-to-head against Tamawashi to 6-6.

No. 3 maegashira Onosho weathered an attempted throw by top maegashira Tochinoshin (1-7) and pulled the Georgian down by the shoulders onto his hands and knees in their first career meeting.

Onosho, who upset yokozuna Harumafuji and ozeki Terunofuji at this tourney, has lost only to Goeido so far. The 20-year-old is set to fight No. 3 maegashira Chiyotairyu, whom he has not yet beaten in two bouts.

Earlier, No. 12 maegashira Daishomaru absorbed Takekaze's charge and slapped the 10th-ranked maegashira down by the back of his head to his sixth loss.

The other overnight leader, Daieisho, dropped into a four-way tie at 6-2 after the No. 11 maegashira lost to 14th-ranked Okinoumi (4-4).

The three other wrestlers with six wins so far are No. 3 Chiyotairyu, who defeated fifth-ranked Shodai (4-4), and the two No. 9 maegashira, Takanoiwa and Arawashi.

In the day's last bout, Harumafuji (5-3) had little trouble executing an overarm throw against Bulgarian No. 2 maegashira Aoiyama (0-1-7), who competed for the first time at this tournament after sitting out the first week.

Ozeki Terunofuji, who withdrew from the tourney Friday with a left knee injury, will not be returning and is certain to drop down a rank to sekiwake as he was fighting in a demotion-threatened "kadoban" status for the fifth time and could manage only one win.

His stablemaster, Isegahama, said the 25-year-old Mongolian, who was promoted to sumo's second highest rank for the July 2015 Nagoya tourney, cannot walk yet and will set his sights on the next tourney in November, where 10 wins will reinstate him as an ozeki.

Good sumo over the weekend. A lot of heavy slap fest and some blood. I'm looking for some dark horses to come up in standings in the second half of this tourney.

[jnight]

Aki Day 9: Goeido takes sole lead at Autumn meet, holds on to ozeki rank

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Ozeki Goeido won his eighth straight bout at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday to take sole lead and secure his status in sumo's second-highest rank.

Goeido (8-1), who would have faced demotion with a losing record in the 15-day event, appeared uncharacteristically cautious against No. 2 maegashira Aoiyama (0-2 with seven rest days due to injury) but thrust the Bulgarian down after sidestepping his charge at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

No. 3 maegashira Onosho and 12th-ranked Daishomaru, who began the day in a three-way tie for the lead, lost their ninth-day matches to fall one win back of Goeido.

Onosho fell on all fours after a viciously attacking third-ranked Chiyotairyu took a subtle step to his right before slapping the up-and-coming 20-year-old down to the dirt, leaving both wrestlers at 7-2. Onosho has lost all three of his career meetings against Chiyotairyu.

Daishomaru's determined slapping and shoving had no effect on Takarafuji (6-3), and the larger No. 8 maegashira shoved him out of the dohyo ring.

No. 9 Takanoiwa is the fourth wrestler at 7-2 after he slapped down 14th-ranked Endo (5-4).

In the day's last bout, yokozuna Harumafuji picked up his fourth straight win by making a low charge against Shodai (4-5) and edging the fifth-ranked maegashira out of the ring.

Harumafuji, the only grand champion competing at this tourney, sits two wins behind Goeido along with four other wrestlers, including rank-and-filers Arawashi, Daieisho and Asanoyama.

The Autumn meet is missing three yokozuna -- Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato -- and two ozeki -- Takayasu and Terunofuji.

[jnight]

Aki Day 10: Ozeki Goeido remains alone at the top in Tokyo

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Ozeki Goeido remains the act to beat after he improved to 9-1 on Tuesday with five days remaining at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Goeido has been an extremely tricky opponent so far in the 15-day event at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, feinting and dodging his way to several of the victories he badly needed here. After suffering a losing record in July in Nagoya, Goeido entered this tournament needing eight wins to secure his ozeki status.

But this time, instead of a feint, Goeido launched a frontal assault on komusubi Tochiozan (3-7), waiting until his opponent was off balance near the straw before outflanking him and shoving him out with a flurry of blows.

The win left Goeido leading by one win over No. 3 maegashira Chiyotairyu (8-2), who was left gasping for breath after securing his eighth win.

Top-ranked maegashira Tochinoshin (1-9) exploited an early opening to push Chiyotairyu back to the straw but could not finish what he started.

A stalemate appeared in the making until Tochinoshin broke it by hoisting up Chiyotairyu off his feet. When that move fizzled, however, Chiyotairyu tried the same thing and made a go of it. He lifted Tochinoshin to the edge of the straw and shoved him out to remain in the thick of the championship race.

Former ozeki Kotoshogiku (6-4) outlasted up-and-coming No. 3 maegashira Onosho to hand him his third loss and knock him two wins back of the lead.

With the wrestlers trying to wrap up each other's arms, the youngster appeared at a loss about how to proceed, while Kotoshogiku, currently a No. 1 maegashira, was able to gain some leverage and topple his opponent.

In the day's final bout, yokozuna Harumafuji was dealt his fourth loss when he was slapped to the surface by No. 5 maegashira Takakeisho, both standing at 6-4.

The tournament has been noticeable by the absence of five top wrestlers following the withdrawal of three yokozuna Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato and two ozeki Takayasu and Terunofuji.

Big win for Takakeisho. He was fearless against the yokozuna. Chiyotairya and Goeido had a good day too. Ichinojo continues his inconsistent sumo.

[jnight]

Aki Day 11: Goeido moves 2 wins clear of field at Autumn sumo
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Ozeki Goeido capitalized on a slip-up by his closest rival to move two wins clear at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday.

After Chiyotairyu crashed to a third defeat, Goeido (10-1) took full advantage in the day's penultimate bout, getting both hands on the front of Mitakeumi's (5-6) belt and surging forward to force him over the straw bales.

Goeido, who won his first career title with a 15-0 mark at this tournament last year, looks a good bet to take home the championship hardware in the absence of a number of top wrestlers.

The field has been weakened following the withdrawal of three yokozuna, Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato, and two ozeki, Takayasu and Terunofuji.

Komusubi Tamawashi (5-6) outgrappled Chiyotairyu and bundled the third-ranked maegashira out of the ring. Chiyotairyu shares second place with Asanoyama and Takanoiwa at 8-3.

Asanoyama, a No. 16 maegashira, kicked off the day's action in the top flight by shoving out 13th-ranked Kaisei (6-5), securing a majority of wins on his debut in the makuuchi division in the process.

Ninth-ranked Takanoiwa slapped down 12th-ranked Daishomaru (7-4), but ninth-ranked Mongolian maegashira Arawashi fell a further win off the pace, dropping to 7-4 after getting forced out by 14th-ranked Endo (7-4).

In the day's finale, lone yokozuna Harumafuji (7-4) took out sixth-ranked maegashira and fellow Mongolian Ichinojo (6-5) with pulling overarm throw.

[jnight]

Aki Day 12: Goeido still 2 wins clear despite shock defeat

Ozeki Goeido stayed on course for his second career championship at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday, despite a surprise second defeat at the hands of fourth-ranked maegashira Shohozan.

The loss in the day's penultimate bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan saw Goeido drop to 10-2, but defeats to his three closest challengers -- rank-and-filers Asanoyama, Takanoiwa and Chiyotairyu -- mean he is still two wins clear with three days of the 15-day tournament left.

A total of 10 wrestlers including lone yokozuna Harumafuji, who scored a force-out win against komusubi Tamawashi (5-7) in the day's finale, are tied for second with 8-4 records.

After twice jumping the gun at the tachiai charge, Shohozan (6-6) got off to a good start and kept Goeido at bay with a series of slaps and next thrusts.

Goeido tried in vain to pull Shohozan down but the maegashira stayed on his feet and then sidestepped the ozeki before slapping him down for the win.

Goeido, who won his first career title with a 15-0 mark at this tournament last year, faces fifth-ranked maegashira Takakeisho on Friday.

The Sakaigawa stable grappler came into the tournament needing to win eight bouts to retain his ozeki rank. But he has enjoyed a strong showing so far and, with many of sumo's top wrestlers sidelined with injuries, is still the favorite to win the championship.

The field has been weakened by the withdrawal of three yokozuna, Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato, and two ozeki, Takayasu and Terunofuji.

Asanoyama, a No. 16 maegashira making his debut in the top makuuchi division, was outmuscled by ninth-ranked Arawashi (8-4), who rebounded from defeat a day earlier and secured a winning record.

Ninth-ranked Takanoiwa got thrust down by 14th-ranked Okinoumi (6-6), and former ozeki Kotoshogiku (8-4) then made short work of third-ranked Chiyotairyu, taking him down straight after the charge with a tsukiotoshi thrust.


Great matches. Big win for Shohozan.

[jnight]

Aki Day 13: Ozeki Goeido crashes again, lead cut to 1 at Autumn tourney

Ozeki Goeido suffered a second straight shock defeat Friday and saw his lead cut to one heading into the final weekend of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Goeido, seeking a second career championship title, was second best throughout his match against fifth-ranked maegashira Takakeisho and dropped to 10-3 with two days of the 15-day Tokyo tourney left.

Lone grand champion Harumafuji closed the gap on Goeido, scoring a dominant win in the day's final bout against sekiwake Yoshikaze (8-5) to improve to 9-4. The Mongolian shares second place with makuuchi-division debutant Asanoyama.

Takakeisho (8-5) tore into Goeido at the tachiai charge and followed through with a flurry of shoves to put the ozeki on the back foot at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Goeido was unable to recover and after taking another blow, lost his footing and tumbled to the sandy surface.

"I am happy (with the win). I just tried to give every ounce of strength I had out there," said Takakeisho, who also upset Harumafuji on the 10th day. "There is still tomorrow to come so I can't ease up. I just have to keep trying hard every day."

Harumafuji wrapped up the day's action in style, quickly getting a right-handed grip on the front of Yoshikaze's belt and blasting him over the straw ridge.

No. 16 maegashira Asanoyama (9-4) returned to winning ways, flooring 11th-ranked Daieisho (8-5) with an "abisetaoshi" backward force down technique.

Former ozeki Kotoshogiku, who is now wrestling as a top-ranked maegashira, started the day tied for second but dropped to 8-5 after seventh-ranked Chiyonokuni (7-6) used an overarm throw to send him out of the ring.

The field at this tournament has been weakened by the withdrawal of three yokozuna -- Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato -- and two ozeki -- Takayasu and Terunofuji.

[jnight]

Aki Day 14: Goeido survives scare to close in on 2nd career title

Ozeki Goeido dodged a bullet on Saturday to rebound from back-to-back defeats and zero in on his second career championship at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Goeido was given a serious run for his money by ninth-ranked maegashira Takanoiwa in the day's penultimate bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan but improved to 11-3, one win ahead of Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji.

Goeido and Harumafuji face off in the final bout of regulation on Sunday, with Harumafuji needing a win to force a championship playoff.

Harumafuji holds a 31-11 career record against Goeido at grand tournaments.

After a pair of false starts, Goeido survived a couple of big scares against plucky Takanoiwa (8-6), but eventually came through unscathed, toppling the maegashira with a "watashikomi" thigh-grabbing push down.

Goeido is the defending champion at this tournament, having won his maiden title here last year with a flawless 15-0 record.

Whoever wins the championship on Sunday will have done it without having to face many of the sport's top wrestlers. Three yokozuna -- Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato -- and two ozeki -- Takayasu and Terunofuji, pulled out of the meet owing to injury.

Harumafuji (10-4) kept alive his title hopes by forcing out sekiwake Mitakeumi (7-7) in the day's last bout.

Earlier, No. 16 maegashira Asanoyama's hopes of a shock title win in his first tournament in the elite makuuchi division ended after he was sent to a fifth defeat.

Third-ranked Onosho (9-5) grabbed Asanoyama by the throat after the tachiai charge and followed up with a two-handed shove to send him off the raised ring.

Former ozeki Kotoshogiku scored a ninth win, bellying 11th-ranked maegashira Daieisho (8-6) towards the edge of the dohyo and finishing the job with a shove to the midriff.