Sumo- 2018 Haru Basho

[jnight]

Day 1-



Kakuryu, whose participation at Edion Arena Osaka was in doubt due to pain in his right fingers, barely needed to use that hand as he rocked komusubi Chiyotairyu back with his charge and drove him from the ring with a minimum of fuss.

The lone yokozuna competing in Osaka after the withdrawal of his colleagues Hakuho and Kisenosato, Kakuryu will be hoping to emulate his start in January's New Year tourney, when he won his first 10 bouts before being slowed by injury.

January's champion, Tochinoshin used his superior strength to seal a comprehensive win over Takarafuji. Fighting as a sekiwake for the first time since the July 2016 tourney, the Georgian got the better of the initial collision, forcing the No. 2 maegashira back at the start. Both wrestlers were able to grab belt holds, but Takarafuji could not prevent being lifted off his feet and deposited on the wrong side of the straw bales.

Osaka native Ozeki Goeido lost traction with his left foot as he and No. 1 maegashira Tamawashi shoved away at each other and was easily pushed out of the ring to open his home grand tournament with a defeat.

Takayasu, coming off his best record as an ozeki in January, when he went 12-3, lost to popular top-ranked maegashira Endo. The ozeki tried to slap Endo back but was unable to keep his opponent in front of him. With a nice display of footwork and balance, Endo dodged a Takayasu shove, pivoted and pushed the ozeki over the straw bales and into the crowd.

"I moved well. That was the best thing today," Endo said. "I want to win every day, but there is a lot of focus on the first day, so it feels particularly good."

Mitakeumi, competing as a sekiwake for the fifth straight grand tournament, forced No. 2 maegashira Arawashi back with his charge and executed a nifty beltless arm throw to earn the victory.

Ichinojo's bulk proved too much for former ozeki and current No. 3 maegashira Kotoshogiku to budge, as the Mongolian komusubi bided his time until he could seize a belt hold and force out his opponent.

No. 7 maegashira Abi, who went 10-5 in his makuuchi division debut in January, pushed over 35-year-old veteran No. 7 Yoshikaze at the straw to open with a win in their first career matchup.

In the second-tier juryo division, Takanoiwa, the wrestler who was suffered head injuries in an October assault by former yokozuna Harumafuji, returned to action for the first time since, and recorded a win.

Harumafuji retired in the wake of the scandal that erupted after news of the incident broke in November.

[jnight]

Day 2-



Kakuryu (2-0), who suffered an injury to his right fingers at January's New Year tourney, was pushed off balance and driven to the edge of the ring by Endo (1-1), who had won two of their seven previous encounters.

But the yokozuna budged no further, toppling the top-ranked maegashira with two big downward slaps to earn his second straight win at Edion Arena Osaka.

January's champion Tochinoshin (1-1) suffered his first defeat of the tournament to top-ranked maegashira Tamawashi (2-0). After a thunderous clash, the recently-promoted sekiwake was pushed down by Tamawashi in a flurry of pushes and slaps.

In their third meeting, ozeki Goeido (1-1) charged Arawashi (0-2) for a solid belt hold, forcing the No. 2 maegeshira from the ring for the Osaka native's first win on home soil.

Ozeki Takayasu (0-2) was no match for komusubi Ichinojo (2-0), and was almost immediately pulled down by the 215-kilogram Mongolian for his second straight defeat.

After a mid-ring standstill, sekiwake Mitakeumi (2-0) avoided being thrown by Takarafuji (0-2) and instead forced the No. 2 maegashira into a fall over the straw bales.

Former ozeki and current No. 3 maegashira Kotoshogiku (1-1) made short work of Chiyotairyu (0-2) after locking arms with the komosubi and flinging him onto his back.

In the second-tier juryo division, Takanoiwa, the wrestler who suffered head injuries in an October assault by former yokozuna Harumafuji, fought his 600th match and notched his second win of the tournament.

[jnight]

Day 3-



Kakuryu (3-0) got the better of the initial charge against top-ranked maegashira Tamawashi (2-1), shoving his fellow Mongolian into a backwards slide and slapping him down for a third-straight win at Edion Arena Osaka.

January's champion Tochinoshin (2-1), fighting as a sekiwake for the first time since July 2016, came back from his first defeat on Monday to beat No. 3 maegashira Kotoshogiku (1-2).

The Georgian, who went into the match having won just six of their 30 career encounters, nearly lifted the 178-kilogram several times before forcing the former ozeki from the ring.

Komusubi Ichinojo (3-0) also notched his third win after a long standstill with winless Takarafuji (0-3). The No. 2 maegashira just couldn't budge the hulking Mongolian, and Ichinojo used his 47-kg weight advantage to slowly inch Takarafuji from the ring.

A day after giving Kakuryu a scare, top-ranked maegashira Endo (2-1) scored a quick victory over Mitakeumi (2-1), slapping the charging sekiwake down in a moment of unbalance to hand him his first loss.

After giving Chiyotairyu (0-3) a sharp slap before colliding, Osaka-native Goeido (2-1) got a solid arm hold on the recently-promoted komusubi and quickly thrust him down for the ozeki's second win at his home venue.

No. 2 Arawashi (0-3) nearly escaped a third straight defeat when Takayasu (1-2) almost toppled after a charge. But the ozeki maintained his footing and issued a shove that sent his opponent over the straw bales.

Takayasu, who went 12-3 in January's tourney, earned his first win here and a fourth in four career meetings with the Mongolian.

Five other wrestlers are still undefeated after the third day, including, No. 4 Shohozan, No. 6 Kaisei, No. 10 Chiyonokuni, No. 14 Ikioi and No. 17 Aoiyama.

In the second-tier juryo division, Takanoiwa, the wrestler who suffered head injuries in an October assault by former yokozuna Harumafuji, suffered his first defeat and sits at 2-1.

[jnight]

Day 4-



Kakuryu wasted little time in the final match at Edion Arena Osaka, pushing No. 2 maegashira Arawashi straight from the ring, handing his fellow Mongolian a fourth straight defeat.

In a massive show of strength, Mitakeumi (3-1) beat the colossal Ichinojo to hand the komusubi his first loss here. After a standstill typical of the bouts here so far involving the hefty Mongolian, the sekiwake steadily pushed Ichinojo from the ring, making light of a 51-kilogram weight disadvantage.

Takakeisho (2-2) defeated newly-promoted sekiwake Tochinoshin (2-2) in a hard-fought match that saw the No. 3 maegashira narrowly survived a boisterous chase by January's champion. Takakeisho nearly lost his balance and was driven to the edge by the charging Georgian, but awkwardly recovered and used Tochinoshin's momentum to push him down and out from behind.

Endo (3-1) earned a quick victory over ozeki Goeido (2-2) when the Osaka native slipped and was easily thrust down by the top-ranked maegashira.

Takayasu (2-2), who was 12-3 in January's tourney, beat top-ranked maegashira Tamawashi (2-2). The two wrestlers traded loud jabs before the ozeki gave the decisive downward slap to the Mongolian.

Komusubi Chiyotairyu picked up his first victory by beating winless Takarafuji. The komosubi forced the No. 2 maegashira back to the edge of the ring before pulling Takarafuji down by the arm and neck.

Besides Kakuryu, four other wrestlers are still undefeated: No. 4 Shohozan, No. 6 Kaisei, No. 14 Ikioi and No. 17 Aoiyama.

No. 12 Kotoyuki (0-4), who suffered defeats on each of the first three days, withdrew from the tournament after being sidelined with a right leg injury.

[jnight]

Day 5-



Pushed to the edge of the straw bales by No. 2 Takarafuji, the sole grand champion at Edion Arena Osaka failed to keep both feet inside while pulling down his charging opponent.

Unable to determine whether Kakuryu's foot left the ring before Takarafuji's shoulder hit the ground, the judges ordered a rematch.

The Mongolian made no mistake the second time around, using his strength to quickly drive the winless Takarafuji out.

The victory in the final bout of the evening left Kakuryu as one of three wrestlers with a perfect record after the fifth day of the tournament, along with No. 4 Shohozan and No. 6 Kaisei.

Forced to the edge of the ring in his bout with No. 5 Chiyomaru, Brazilian-born Kaisei used his 205-kilogram frame to hold off his opponent before lifting him out by the belt.

Facing Arawashi, Shohozan kept his feet following an attempted throw before using his taller opponent's momentum to force the No. 2 maegashira out.

Following a disappointing 0-2 start, ozeki Takayasu secured his third straight victory by throwing down No. 3 Kotoshogiku (1-4).

After being pushed onto the back foot, Takayasu demonstrated impressive strength and technique to hold off the former sekiwake before tossing him to the ground.

Ozeki Goeido (3-2) overwhelmed No. 3 Takakeisho (2-3), quickly pushing him out backwards for the Osaka native's third win at his home venue.

Komusubi Ichinojo beat No. 1 Endo (3-2) to move to 4-1. After the opening tussle, the pair stayed locked motionless for several seconds before the giant Mongolian used his 61-kg weight advantage to bulldoze the lower-ranked wrestler out of the ring.

Sekiwake Tochinoshin (3-2) picked up a much-needed win against komusubi Chiyotairyu (1-4) after suffering his second loss the previous day. The New Year tourney winner, who came into the Osaka meet carrying a foot injury, agilely maneuvered behind his charging opponent and quickly forced him out.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi (4-1) stayed in the hunt by beating Mongolian top-ranked maegashira Tamawashi (2-3). The pair traded pushes and slaps after Mitakeumi attempting a throw in the opening exchange, with the Japanese-born wrestler getting the victory by push out.

[jnight]

Day 6-



Kotoshogiku (1-5), now wrestling as a No. 3 maegashira, tried to ram the yokozuna out with a high energy charge, but Kakuryu showed his skill by grabbing hold of Kotoshogiku's arm and twisting him down with the help of the maegashira's momentum.

Kaisei remained unbeaten in unusual fashion. His opponent, No. 8 maegashira Daiesho (3-3) lost his footing on the initial collision, and two shoves saw him backpedaling to the straw bales, where he tried but failed to regain his balance and fell backward out of the ring.

Fourth-ranked maegashira Shohozan, who started the day with a share of the lead at 5-0, proved too aggressive for his own good in a loss to ozeki Goeido.

With local fans chanting his name, Goeido, who is from Osaka, set Shohozan up for a fall. Shohozan employed his trademark frenetic slapping attack, but was done in by a well-timed step back by Goeido (4-2), who guided his lunging opponent to the sandy surface.

Ozeki Takayasu also improved to 4-2, patiently outlasting a tenacious assault from winless No. 2 maegashira Takarafuji, who he finally expelled from the ring with a pulling overarm throw.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi suffered his second defeat at the hands of No. 3 maegashira Takakeisho. The maegashira's charge forced Mitakeumi up onto his heels, and as Takakeisho (3-3) pulled back, the sekiwake lunged forward off balance and was easily shoved out.

The other sekiwake, January champion Tochinoshin, improved to 4-2 with an impressive win over Endo (3-3). After fending off a powerful charge, the top-ranked maegashira and the sekiwake spun around the ring, each clinging to a belt hold. When the merry-go round stopped, Endo shook Tochinoshin's left hand off his belt but fell victim to a right-handed armlock throw.

Ichinojo improved to 5-1 after weathering a determined, if futile, shoving and slapping attack from rival komusubi Chiyotairyu (1-5). Try as he might, Chiyotairyu made no headway. As the attack lost steam, Ichinojo stepped forward, wrapped up his opponent's torso and maneuvered him out to his fifth defeat.

[jnight]

Day 7-



Yokozuna Kakuryu survived a scare to remain unbeaten and tied for the lead on Saturday, the seventh day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

After a string of comprehensive wins, the Mongolian grand champion was forced back to the straw after a strong initial slapping barrage by No. 3 Takakeisho (3-4). But the maegashira was unable to finish what he started, as Kakuryu escaped and drove him back across the ring and out.

Kakuryu has been dealing with pain in his right hand since the January tournament, where he opened with 10 straight wins before being slowed by injury. The win leaves the yokozuna tied for the lead at Edion Arena Osaka with No. 6 maegashira Kaisei. Two other wrestlers are a win back at 6-1.

For the second straight day, Kaisei's match was over as soon as it started. Although his charge was a little off balance, the Brazilian was able to wrap up No. 8 maegashira Kagayaki's torso with both arms and drive him from the ring. Kagayaki, who had beaten Kaisei in three of their four previous career bouts, fell to 3-4.

No. 16 maegashira Daiamami remained one win back after taking a serious amount of hard hits from No. 10 Chiyonokuni (5-2), who failed to make any headway before running out of steam. When his opponent's pace slackened, Daiamami exploited his 38-kilogram weight advantage to push Chiyokuni to the edge and topple him with an easy overarm throw. No. 13 Daishomaru also won to improve to 6-1.

Ozeki Goeido made short work of winless No. 2 maegashira Takarafuji to improve to 5-2. The ozeki from Osaka was pushed to the brink of defeat, balancing on one leg at the straw's edge, but was able to escape, turn the tables and throw Takarafuji, beating him for the 12th time in 17 career bouts.

A day after Goeido halted his five-bout win streak, former sekiwake Shohozan suffered his second-straight loss to an ozeki. Takayasu (5-2), in his second marathon match in two days, and Shohozan battered away at each other. The two grappled, shoved, and twisted around and around, with Shohozan hitting the dirt after a failed attempt to break the stalemate.

Both sekiwake, Tochinoshin and Mitakeumi, improved to 5-2. Tochinoshin dispatched winless No. 2 maegashira Arawashi with a slick overarm throw, while Mitakeumi just barely shoved the foot of komusubi Chiyotairyu (1-6) out before he himself fell.

Komusubi Ichinojo was shoved out by Mongolian compatriot Tamawashi (4-3) to his second loss. After they collided, Tamawashi plowed his left palm into Ichinojo's face. Distracted by Tamawashi's left, the komusubi twisted violently to shake it off. But at that instant, Tamawashi planted both hands on Ichinojo's chest and shoved him across the straw.

[jnight]

Day 8-




Kakuryu failed to bundle out Shohozan with his initial charge but beat the energetic No. 4 maegashira at his own slapping-spinning game.

Looking to wrap up his opponent and go for an easy forceout, the smaller Shohozan (5-3) slipped away and began slapping away at the yokozuna. But Kakuryu moved just as well, and Shohozan slipped to the surface while trying to dart around the grand champion.

Kaisei made it look easy as he cruised to victory against ninth-ranked maegashira Okinoumi, a former sekiwake. The 205-kilogram Brazilian rushed forward trying to grab the front of Okinoumi's belt.

Okinoumi managed to do no more than flail his arms as he was forced sliding backward to the straw and then shoved over to his third defeat.

"It's been a long time since I secured a winning record this early," said the 31-year-old Kaisei, who suffered an injury here last year that saw him suffer two straight losing records and forced him to fight in the second-tier juryo division last September. "I'm still not 100 percent, but I'm doing my best."

Reminded of Tochinoshin's January championship as a rank-and-file maegashira wrestler, Kaisei laughed. "Of course I want to win a championship, but that's pretty difficult," he said. "But I guess there is some chance, if I don't get hurt again. So I'll try everyday to not get hurt -- and to wrestle well."

Only one wrestler, No. 16 maegashira Daiamami, boasts a 7-1 record after he dispatched No. 14 Nishikigi (3-5).

Osaka native and ozeki Goeido (6-2) got the best in a tough match with former ozeki and No. 3 maegashira Kotoshogiku (2-6). Goeido wrapped up his longtime rival's torso on the opening collision and gradually worked Kotoshogiku out in their 48th career bout.

After barely scraping out wins in each of his previous two bouts, ozeki Takayasu (6-2) easily shoved out No. 3 maegashira Takakeisho (3-5).

Tochinoshin (6-2) won his sekiwake showdown with Mitakeumi (5-3) despite being beaten on the initial charge that saw Mitakeumi take on the Georgian's charge, pivot to his left and latch on to Tochinoshin's right arm.

Tochinoshin started to stumble forward, but kept his feet because Mitakeumi was hanging on to him. Quickly regaining his poise, Tochinoshin used his right arm to lock up Mitakeumi's left and swing him down for the win.

"I was aware he has changed his style, but I'd never seen him move like that," Tochinoshin said. "I am really glad to have won."

Komusubi Ichinojo also stayed two wins off the lead, bouncing back from a lackluster loss on Saturday with a clinical forceout of winless No. 2 maegashira Arawashi.

[jnight]

Day 9-



The yokozuna was nearly blown out of the ring by a powerful but uncontrolled final charge from No. 4 maegashira Shodai (5-4), but Kakuryu made his escape tip-toeing along the ring's straw-bale border as Shodai thundered out.

The Mongolian could barely control his smile after snatching victory from defeat. He had opened brightly, but Shodai repulsed his charge and seized the initiative. Everything was going the youngster's way until his failed attempt to seal the win.

No. 6 Kaisei, the only other unbeaten wrestler here, was offered an easy victory when No. 9 Ryuden leaned in to his left to try and secure an underarm hold on his opponent's belt, leaving his own exposed to Kaisei's big right hand.

The Brazilian latched onto his opponent and nearly lifted him off the ground before dragging Ryuden hopping on his right leg over the straw to his sixth defeat.

Boos were heard when ringside judges overruled an apparent win by Osaka native Goeido (6-3), who tapped his toe out while trying to balance atop the straw bales before rotund No. 5 maegashira Chiyomaru (4-5) crashed out.

The other ozeki, Takayasu, however, had no trouble earning his seventh win. As Chiyotairyu (1-8) charged forward low, Takayasu stepped to one side and helped the 197-kilogram komusubi plow into the sandy surface.

January champion Tochinoshin (7-2) rocked Shohozan (5-4) back with a left forearm to the throat that stopped the quick No. 4 maegashira from pulling any tricks. Shoved back on his heels, Shohozan was defenseless as the Georgian sekiwake wrapped him up with both arms and easily forced him out.

Komusubi Ichinojo remained two wins back of the lead with an easy win when No. 3 maegashira Takakeisho (3-6) limped backward out of the ring.

No. 15 maegashira Daiamami joined the crowd of wrestlers with two losses, after coming off second best on the initial charge with No. 13 Asanoyama (5-4) and getting shoved out.

Popular former ozeki Kotoshogiku (3-6) turned back the clock to beat Mitakeumi after the sekiwake was slow getting off his mark. The 34-year-old Kotoshogiku, currently a No. 3 maegashira, wrapped up his larger opponent's arms, and shoved Mitakeumi around the ring before twisting him down to a fourth loss.

[jnight]

Day 10-



The Mongolian yokozuna needed a few more seconds than usual to dispatch Chiyomaru (4-6) in their first career meeting, but in the end Kakuryu bundled the No. 5 maegashira from the ring for his 10th straight win at Edion Arena Osaka. Chiyomaru, who boasts 38-kilograms over the Mongolian, held his ground for a solid 10 seconds, but it wasn't enough to top the determined Kakuryu.

No. 6 Kaisei, who shared the lead with Kakuryu after Day 9, suffered his first defeat at the hands of Ichinojo.

The Brazilian-born maegashira nearly pushed the komusubi out following the initial charge, but the 215-kilogram Mongolian stayed put and the two wrestlers locked arms for nearly 30 seconds. Kaisei put up one last defense against an advance by the komusubi, but ultimately succumbed when Ichinojo lifted him out to earn his eighth win.

In another of the evening's big contests, Tochinoshin (7-3) nearly flew out of the ring when Goeido (7-3) sidestepped the Georgian on the initial charge. Tochinoshin recovered, but the ozeki immediately bore down on him and pushed the unbalanced sekiwake over the straw bales.

Ozeki Takayasu maintained the possibility for a win here by keeping No. 4 Shodai (5-5) at arm's length for his eighth victory.

Shodai couldn't get a hold of the ozeki as Takayasu persistently pushed the maegashira over the straw bales with a stiff arm to the neck.

Mitakeumi (5-5) put up a spirited fight against Shohozan (6-4), but the No. 4 maegashira's whirlwind of pushes and slaps drained the sekiwake, allowing Shohozan the chance to get a solid belt grab and force him out.

Komusubi Chiyotairyu (2-8) earned a much-needed victory over Tamawashi (5-5), charging the top-ranked maegashira straight from the ring with a flurry of hand thrusts for just his second win.

No. 13 Daishomaru, No. 14 Ikioi, No. 16 Daiamami, and No. 17 Aoiyama, who all went into the day within two wins of the lead, dropped further behind after suffering their third defeats.

[jnight]

Day 11-



Unbeaten yokozuna Kakuryu is primed to win his fourth makuuchi division championship after capturing an 11th straight victory with a massive effort Wednesday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

In one of his more challenging bouts of the 15-day competition so far, Kakuryu held fast against hulking komusubi Ichinojo to keep his perfect record and push his fellow Mongolian further down the ranks.

Ichinojo, whose 215-kilogram frame has helped him garner eight victories here, used his bulk to put the 155-kg yokozuna on the back foot as the two wrestlers quickly slumped together into a standstill. But the lone grand champion at Edion Arena Osaka displayed his Herculean strength, resisting an attempt by Ichinojo to force him from the ring before pushing the colossal komusubi out.

After suffering his first defeat yesterday at the hands of Ichinojo, No. 6 Kaisei caught a lucky break and earned a default victory over Takakeisho (3-8) to stay within one win of Kakuryu. The No. 3 maegashira, one of four wrestlers here to beat January's champion Tochinoshin, withdrew from the tournament after suffering a right foot injury in his bout with No. 6 Hokutofuji (5-6) on Tuesday.

In other matches, Takayasu escaped defeat at the hands of Tochinoshin (7-4) to earn his ninth victory and become the sole wrestler in third position. After driving the Georgian to the edge of the ring with a vigorous charge, Takayasu was pulled down by Tochinoshin as the sekiwake leapt out to avoid defeat. But after a meeting, the judges ruled Tochinoshin to have overstepped the straw bales prior to the ozeki's fall.

Goeido secured a winning record with a quick win against No. 4 Shodai. The Osaka-born ozeki stopped the charging No. 4 maegashira in his tracks and pushed his hopping opponent out for his eighth win.

Mitakeumi (5-6) suffered his fourth straight loss after being plowed out by No. 5 Chiyomaru (5-6). The sekiwake had the 193-kg maegashira on the ropes twice before a 30-second rest gave Chiyomaru enough energy to slide Mitakeumi over the straw.

Chiyotairyu fell to his ninth loss against No. 2 Arawashi (2-9) when the komusubi lost his footing as his slapping charge was deflected by the Mongolian.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers here, No. 11 Yutakayama, Osaka natives No. 13 Daishomaru and No. 14 Ikioi, and Bulgarian No. 17 Aoiyama are all still in contention after earning their eighth wins.

[jnight]

Day 12-



Yokozuna Kakuryu suffered his first loss on Thursday, the 12th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, where he remained in the sole lead.

Facing Georgian sekiwake Tochinoshin (8-4), whom he had beaten 21 times in their 22 career meetings, Kakuryu could do little more than delay his first defeat of the 15-day tournament after getting off to the best start of his career.

In the day's final bout at Edion Arena Osaka, the yokozuna started out well on his charge but Tochinoshin, the winner of January's New Year grand tournament, repulsed the Mongolian's first effort.

The wrestlers then locked onto each other's belts, and it became just a matter of Tochinoshin exhibiting his extraordinary upper-body strength that forced the yokozuna out.

Kakuryu's closest pursuer, Brazilian No. 6 maegashira Kaisei, suffered his second defeat when he was outmaneuvered and pulled down by No. 1 Endo (7-5).

Kaisei opened the tournament with nine straight wins, but his only victory in the past three days came by default after his opponent withdrew due to injury.

Ozeki Takayasu lost a chance to join Kaisei at 10-2 in his botched pursuit of No. 5 Chiyomaru (6-6). As Chiyomaru backpedaled in his retreat along the inside edge of the straw bales, he twisted Takayasu to the outside, forcing the ozeki to step outside the ring.

After a thunderous welcome from his hometown fans, Goeido joined his fellow ozeki at 9-3 by forcing mountainous Mongolian komusubi Ichinojo out to his fourth loss.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi lost to No. 4 Shodai, leaving both wrestlers with 6-6 records.

Looking to wrestle in May as a sekiwake for the sixth straight time, Mitakeumi got the worst of the opening charge but nearly fought his way back. He failed, however, to execute an overarm throw that left him vulnerable and was easily thrown down.

No. 13 Daishomaru and No. 14 Ikioi joined Takayasu and Goeido at 9-3.

[jnight]

Day 13-



Yokozuna Kakuryu inched toward his fourth career championship on Friday, the 13th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kakuryu (12-1) defeated No. 6 maegashira Kaisei, his closest rival in the 15-day competition, opening up a two-win lead over the field with two days of bouts remaining at Edion Arena Osaka.

The yokozuna came in quick and low, aiming for the front of Kaisei's belt. But as the Brazilian slammed into his left shoulder, the Mongolian grand champion pivoted slightly. The 205-kilogram Kaisei then crashed forward to his third defeat here and his 12th in 12 bouts against Kakuryu.

The tournament's ozeki showdown saw Takayasu (10-3) take on the charge of Osaka-native Goeido (9-4), force him on to his heels and then yank his head down in a textbook "hatakikomi" slap down. The win improved Takayasu's career record against his rival to 18-9.

Goeido will face Kakuryu on Saturday, when a loss by the local hero will hand the yokozuna the championship.

The other wrestler with an outside shot at the title is No. 14 Ikioi, who improved to 10-3 by fending off the attacks of No. 10 Chiyonokuni (6-7) and eventually shoving him out with a desperate lunge.

Sekiwaki Tochinoshin (8-5), who threw Kaisei a lifeline on Thursday by beating Kakuryu for just the second time in 23 career bouts against the yokozuna, was taken down by No. 4 maegashira Shodai (7-6).

The other sekiwake wrestler, Mitakeumi, scraped out a vital sixth win in a rambunctious free for all with No. 6 maegashira Hokutofuji (6-7). Mitakeumi repeatedly tried to shove back and pull down his opponent and at one point was inches from being shoved out.

But Mitakeumi, competing for the fifth straight grand tournament at his current rank, got away, avoiding being slapped down while struggling to keep his feet before slapping down his opponent.

Komusubi Ichinojo continued to slide. Since clinching a winning record for the tournament on Tuesday with a win over Kaisei, the Mongolian has now lost three straight, this time getting forced out by Shohozan (7-6). The 140-kg No. 4 maegashira was quicker off the mark, and 215-kg Ichinojo, offering little in the way of defense, was easily shoved back to the straw's edge.

[jnight]

Day 14-



Yokozuna Kakuryu clinched his fourth career championship on Saturday, the penultimate day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

The 32-year-old Mongolian defeated ozeki and local favorite Goeido (9-5) to clinch the title at Edion Arena Osaka with one day left in the 15-day competition. Kakuryu, whose only loss here came on Thursday to January's champion, sekiwake Tochinoshin, needed only one win over the final two days.

The climactic match ended almost before it started. The ozeki came head-on in his charge but slowly enough for Kakuryu to wrap his right arm around Goeido's neck and yank him down to the ring's sandy surface.

In the penultimate bout, ozeki Takayasu (11-3) handed sekiwake Mitakeumi his eighth loss, a defeat that will likely prevent him from fighting at sumo's third-highest rank in May for a sixth straight grand tournament.

As he so often does, Mitakeumi started well but finished poorly. He got around to the ozeki's left but could not bring him down as Takayasu spun out of danger. After some wild sparring at mid ring, Takayasu got the sekiwake off balance and thrust him down.

But Takayasu's win only served to tie him with two other wrestlers, No. 6 maegashira Kaisei and No. 14 Ikioi, at 11-3 in the bid to finish as the tournament's runner-up.

A day after flubbing his lines in a crucial loss against Kakuryu, Kaisei made short work of No. 13 maegashira Daishomaru. The Brazilian behemoth hooked his arms under Daishomaru's on the charge and pushed him down to his fifth defeat. Kaisei, who is 31 and first wrestled in the upper division in 2011, has never won 12 bouts in his career.

Ikioi blasted diminutive Ishiura (7-7) out of the ring, when the 116-kilogram No. 12 maegashira aborted his charge and was easily shoved out. On Sunday, Ikioi will have a shot at matching his career high of 12 wins in the makuuchi division, when he fights Kaisei.

Komusubi Ichinojo (9-5) cemented his bid for a second promotion to sekiwake by throwing No. 4 maegashira Shodai to his seventh loss. The other komusubi, Chiyotairyu, will be saying good-bye to his time in the elite upper ranks after dropping to his 11th loss, easily forced out by No. 7 maegashira Yoshikaze.

Sekiwake Tochinoshin used his deadly left hand to latch onto roly-poly No. 5 maegashira Chiyomaru (6-8) and force him out. The Georgian has now won nine-plus bouts for three straight tournaments but will have a tougher time manhandling 215-kg Ichinojo on Sunday.

[jnight]

Day 15-



Ozeki Takayasu may have finished without a title, but he finished the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in style with a win over yokozuna Kakuryu on Sunday.

Takayasu and Kakuryu were forced to refight the tournament's final bout on the 15th and final day at Edion Arena Osaka, where judges were unable to decide a winner in their first try. In the second try, Takayasu was too fast for the grand champion and easily forced him out. Takayasu has now won 12 bouts in consecutive tournaments.

Kakuryu, who clinched his fourth career championship on Saturday, finished with a 13-2 mark to put a horrible 2017 behind him. Last year, the Mongolian went the distance in only one tournament, but went 11-4 in January, when he was slowed by injury. He also came into this tournament after a last-minute decision to compete despite pain in the fingers of his right hand.

Although he failed to match his dominance from 14-1 January championship effort, Georgian sekiwake Tochinoshin was awarded the outstanding performance prize for the second straight tournament thanks to his 12th-day win over Kakuryu.

Tochinoshin (10-5) ended his tournament by forcing out komusubi Ichinojo (9-6), who will likely join him as a sekiwake at May's tournament in Tokyo.

No. 6 maegashira Kaisei toppled No. 14 Ikioi to earn a career-best 12th win. Defeat for the former sekiwake left Ikioi with an 11-4 record and without the fighting spirit prize that would have been his with a victory.

The 205-kilogram Brazilian seized an overarm hold with his right hand on the charge and used it to upend his opponent in one fluid motion. Kaisei, who was in the hunt for his first championship thanks to a nine-match winning streak to start the tournament, won the third fighting spirit prize of his career.

Top-ranked maegashira Endo, who beat both ozeki and showed great prowess with his left-handed belt grips, was awarded his second career technique prize.

The popular wrestler's technique, however, was no match for the speed of No. 4 Shohozan, who knocked Endo back with his ferocious charge and shoved him from the ring in seconds to clinch a winning record.