Post by jnight on Sept 26, 2017 14:23:27 GMT -5
Aki Day 15:Harumafuji beats Goeido in playoff to win 9th career title
Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji came from behind to beat Goeido in a dramatic playoff on Sunday to capture his ninth career title on the final day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
Harumafuji entered the last day of the 15-day meet trailing Goeido by one win and needing victory against the ozeki in the final bout of regulation to force a championship playoff at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
And the grand champion came through in dominating fashion, getting both hands locked onto the front of Goeido's belt before shunting him over the edge to leave both men with 11-4 records.
Harumafuji was in total control in the playoff too, tearing into the ozeki at the tachiai and charging him out to complete the turnaround.
"I wanted to wrestle (in the playoffs) in such a way that I'd have no regrets and just gave it my best shot," Harumafuji said after the dust had settled.
Harumafuji's path to glory here was eased somewhat with the injury-enforced withdrawals of three yokozuna -- Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato -- and two ozeki -- Takayasu and Terunofuji.
Elsewhere, fifth-ranked maegashira Takakeisho (9-6), who posted wins over both Goeido and Harumafuji, won his first Outstanding Performance Prize, one of three prizes the Japan Sumo Association gives to makuuchi-division wrestlers on the final day of a grand tournament.
"It's my first experience (with so many elite wrestlers out)," Harumafuji said. "At the start of the tournament, my technique and my spirit were out of synch. But as the tournament went on, I just focused on the next bout, trying not to think too much and hoping the results will follow."
Third-ranked Onosho (10-5), who also beat Harumafuji, won his second Fighting Spirit Prize, while 16th-ranked maegashira Asanoyama picked up his first after posting an impressive 10-5 mark on his debut in sumo's top flight.
"It (winning the prize) is not something I was conscious of but I went aggressive into the bout and that led to the win," Asanoyama said after wrapping up an impressive tournament with victory over third-ranked Chiyotairyu (8-7).
Asanoyama was in title contention until he suffered his fifth defeat on Saturday.
"That's been a good experience," said the 23-year-old. "I have fought with the spirit of a challenger over the 15 days and that has led to my finishing with double figures in wins. I am really happy about that."
Thirty-five-year-old Yoshikaze, who finished at 8-7 after losing on the final day against fellow sekiwake Mitakeumi (8-7), was awarded the Technique Prize for the fourth time.
A great tourney! I'll be eager to see the Kyūshū basho in November.
Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji came from behind to beat Goeido in a dramatic playoff on Sunday to capture his ninth career title on the final day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
Harumafuji entered the last day of the 15-day meet trailing Goeido by one win and needing victory against the ozeki in the final bout of regulation to force a championship playoff at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
And the grand champion came through in dominating fashion, getting both hands locked onto the front of Goeido's belt before shunting him over the edge to leave both men with 11-4 records.
Harumafuji was in total control in the playoff too, tearing into the ozeki at the tachiai and charging him out to complete the turnaround.
"I wanted to wrestle (in the playoffs) in such a way that I'd have no regrets and just gave it my best shot," Harumafuji said after the dust had settled.
Harumafuji's path to glory here was eased somewhat with the injury-enforced withdrawals of three yokozuna -- Hakuho, Kakuryu and Kisenosato -- and two ozeki -- Takayasu and Terunofuji.
Elsewhere, fifth-ranked maegashira Takakeisho (9-6), who posted wins over both Goeido and Harumafuji, won his first Outstanding Performance Prize, one of three prizes the Japan Sumo Association gives to makuuchi-division wrestlers on the final day of a grand tournament.
"It's my first experience (with so many elite wrestlers out)," Harumafuji said. "At the start of the tournament, my technique and my spirit were out of synch. But as the tournament went on, I just focused on the next bout, trying not to think too much and hoping the results will follow."
Third-ranked Onosho (10-5), who also beat Harumafuji, won his second Fighting Spirit Prize, while 16th-ranked maegashira Asanoyama picked up his first after posting an impressive 10-5 mark on his debut in sumo's top flight.
"It (winning the prize) is not something I was conscious of but I went aggressive into the bout and that led to the win," Asanoyama said after wrapping up an impressive tournament with victory over third-ranked Chiyotairyu (8-7).
Asanoyama was in title contention until he suffered his fifth defeat on Saturday.
"That's been a good experience," said the 23-year-old. "I have fought with the spirit of a challenger over the 15 days and that has led to my finishing with double figures in wins. I am really happy about that."
Thirty-five-year-old Yoshikaze, who finished at 8-7 after losing on the final day against fellow sekiwake Mitakeumi (8-7), was awarded the Technique Prize for the fourth time.
A great tourney! I'll be eager to see the Kyūshū basho in November.