Sumo- 2018 Natsu Basho

[jnight]

Day 1-

Sumo's big guns all opened with wins on Sunday, the first day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. Kakuryu, Hakuho, Goeido and both sekiwake wrestlers.opened with a win.

Kakuryu, looking to win back-to-back championships for the first time in his career, earned an easy win against popular komusubi Endo at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. Fellow yokozuna Hakuho also opened with a win, as did ozeki Goeido and both sekiwake wrestlers.

In the day's final bout, Endo, wrestling in one of the sport's elite ranks for the first time in his career, came in very low against the Mongolian yokozuna, who held his ground and eventually yanked the komusubi off balance and down to the sandy surface.

Hakuho, returning after sitting out the entire spring tourney with a toe injury, won a fierce confrontation with top-ranked maegashira Tamawashi. After Tamawashi repulsed Hakuho's charge with some nasty shoves to his throat, the two Mongolians gave each other menacing looks from a distance.

The follow through of his effort to throw off the yokozuna, however, left Tamawashi with his back to the straw, as the two stared each other down. Hakuho, looking for his 41st career championship, ended the stalemate with a couple of well-timed lunges that finally propelled his compatriot from the ring.

Ozeki Goeido showed his skill in an easy opening win over No. 1 maegashira Kaisei. As the Brazilian steamrolled forward, the ozeki seized a left-handed belt hold. Goeido used that in concert with Kaisei's forward motion to get around his opponent and force him from the ring.

Georgian sekiwake Tochinoshin overpowered smaller and quicker No. 2 maegashira Shohozan. The maegashira, who favors a hit and run game, went for belt holds against the powerful sekiwake, who won his maiden championship in January.

But despite coming into the tournament with fitness issues, Tochinoshin was able to lift Shohozan off his feet and deposit him kicking and struggling on the wrong side of the straw.

Mitakeumi, whose long run at sekiwake came to a halt in March, opened his account as a komusubi by shoving out No. 3 maegashira Daieisho.

Mongolian mountain Ichinojo, fighting as a sekiwake for the first time since July 2015, easily shoved out up-and-coming 24-year-old No. 2 maegashira Abi.

[jnight]

Day 2-

Yokozuna Hakuho and sumo’s elite remained atop the competition after earning back-to-back wins on Monday, the second day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho (2-0), who sat out the Spring tourney with a toe injury, survived a slight scare against Mitakeumi (1-1) and remained on track to add a 41st title his record championship haul.

The recently demoted komusubi had the Mongolian stalwart on the ropes during a vigorous chase around the ring. But Hakuho wrested the crafty komusubi around and shoved his opponent down to a first defeat at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

In the day’s penultimate bout, yokozuna Kakuryu (2-0), looking to win back-to-back championships for the first time in his career, quickly dispatched Tamawashi (0-2) after a hard slap knocked the No. 1 maegashira off balance and allowed the yokozuna to twist him down by the arm.

The two Mongolian winners are the only yokozuna competing here after Kisenosato, the first Japan-born wrestler in 19 years to gain promotion to sumo’s highest rank, once again pulled out due to a left chest muscle injury.

In other matches, ozeki Goeido (2-0) needed little time to beat Shohozan (0-2), using his brute force to shove the No. 2 maegashira cleanly from the ring and earn a second win.

Mongolian tank Ichinojo (2-0) defeated top-ranked maegashira Kaisei (0-2) to remain undefeated after locking briefly with the 204-kg Brazilian, who earned the Fighting Spirit Prize for an impressive 12 wins in March.

The sekiwake, one of only three wrestlers to beat Kaisei at the spring tourney, improved to eight wins in 10 career bouts with the Brazilian after breaking the lull and charging him from the ring.

Sekiwake Tochinoshin (2-0) braved a flurry of slaps from Abi (0-2) before lifting the No. 2 maegashira up by his belt and depositing him on the wrong side of the straw. The Georgian is looking to improve on his 10-5 March finish on the heels of his maiden makuuchi division championship in January.

Komusubi Endo (1-1), the only elite-ranked wrestler to lose on the first day, fought back a spirited onslaught from Yutakayama (0-2) to pick up his first win.

The komusubi drove his opponent to the edge of the ring before pulling him down by the arm as the No. 3 maegashira attempted a final shove.

[jnight]

Day 3-

Yokozuna Kakuryu and Hakuho both earned easy victories to stay undefeated on Tuesday, the third day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the day’s final bout at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan, Kakuryu (3-0) defeated Kaisei (0-3) for his 13th career win over the top-ranked maegashira in as many matches.

The yokozuna used his lightning speed and muscle to outwrestle the Brazilian, who boasts a 45-kg weight advantage. A well-timed slap allowed Kakuryu to get a solid hold on Kaisei’s belt and ease him backward from the ring.

Hakuho (3-0), the only other yokozuna here, stayed perfect after easily defeating No. 2 maegashira Shohozan (0-3). The Mongolian yokozuna got the upper hand on the initial charge and quickly bulldozed the maegashira out of the ring.

Endo (2-1) delivered a first loss to ozeki Goeido (2-1) to even their records.

Tochinoshin (3-0) showcased his brute strength and tactical maneuvering in a collision with Tamawashi (0-3). The sekiwake attempted to steamroll his larger opoponent from the ring, but reversed tactics after the No. 1 maegashira held strong.

Georgian Tochinoshin, who won his maiden championship in January, eventually prevailed after twisting Tamawashi around on the ropes and slapping him down to a third straight defeat.

Sekiwake Ichinojo (3-0) narrowly earned a victory over Daieisho (0-3) after referees ruled that the No. 3 maegashira’s hands touched the ground before the Mongolian sekiwake was forced over the straw by his opponent’s falling charge.

Mitakeumi (2-1) got the better of No. 2 Abi (0-3) in their first career bout when the recently demoted komusubi landed a winning shove after relentlessly chasing the hopping maegashira around the ring.

Only four lower-ranked wrestlers remain undefeated after three days of action, including No. 4 Shodai, No. 5 Ikioi, No. 10 Okinoumi, and No. 12 Asanoyama.

[jnight]

Day 4-

In the day's penultimate bout, No. 2 maegashira Shohozan (1-3) defeated yokozuna Kakuryu (3-1) in the biggest upset on the fourth day of the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Kakuryu slapped his opponent's face throughout the match, but the maegashira landed a winning shove as the yokozuna lost his footing and crashed down.

Kakuryu, who missed bouts in four straight meets last year, has demonstrated his confidence since returning to the ring in January. The Izutsu stable wrestler is aiming to win back-to-back championships for the first time in his career.

Meanwhile, Hakuho (4-0) quickly dispatched Kaisei (0-4) for his 11th career win over the top-ranked Brazilian maegashira in as many bouts. The Mongolian joins three other wrestlers, including sekiwake Tochinoshin, at 4-0.

Tochinoshin, January's champion, has been in winning form in his campaign to earn promotion to the sport's second highest rank of ozeki.

He held on to the belt of former sekiwake Mitakeumi (2-2) and quickly pushed him out without giving his opponent room to breathe.

The 30-year-old Georgian, who was 14-1 in January and 10-5 in March, is five short of winning 33 bouts in three meets, considered a pre-requisite for ozeki promotion.

However, stablemaster Onomatsu, who is in charge of recommending promotion, has indicated Tochinoshin will need 10-plus wins to earn promotion.

The other perfect record holders are sekiwake Ichinojo and No. 4 maegashira Shodai. Ichinojo forced No. 3 maegashira Yutakayama (0-4) backwards out of the ring, while Shodai defeated No. 5 Ikioi (3-1).

Ozeki Goeido (2-2) suffered his second straight loss, falling to top-ranked maegashira Tamawashi (1-3).

No. 10 Okinoumi (3-1) was shoved out of the ring by No. 9 Daishomaru (3-1) for his first loss, while No. 12 Asanoyama (3-1) lost to No. 14 Sadanoumi (3-1).

[jnight]

Day 5-

Yokozuna Hakuho maintained his share of the lead at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with an easy win on Thursday and a perfect record after five days.

Hakuho slipped past winless No. 3 maegashira Daieisho on the charge, grabbed the right side of his belt and threw him in one fluid motion. The Mongolian grand champion remains tied for the lead with sekiwake Tochinoshin and No. 4 maegashira Shodai.

Yokozuna Kakuryu (4-1), who slipped up the day before and suffered his first loss at the 15-day event at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, got back on track. However, the yokozuna, who has been a powerhouse this year after an injury-plagued 2017, looked less than convincing.

Kakuryu, looking to win back-to-back championships for the first time in his career, got the better of his bout against No. 2 maegashira Abi (1-4), but was unable to finish the 24-year-old off. The match ended when Abi, under pressure, slipped to the sandy surface and down to defeat.

Ichinojo, wrestling as a sekiwake for the first time since July 2015, started the day at 4-0, but suffered his first loss, beaten in an entertaining bout by popular komusubi Endo.

Endo rebounded off the mountainous Mongolian on his opening charge, dove in for a second helping and got a coveted underarm belt hold. The 225-kilogram Ichinojo, however, used his 73-kg advantage to keep his feet despite being forced back to the straw. Ichinojo seized a belt hold and countered but his failure to throw Endo, gave the Japanese an opening and he took advantage, forcing the Mongolian from the ring.

Tochinoshin followed his sekiwake partner to the ring and used his long arms and impressive upper body strength to hold off 204-kg Brazilian Kaisei. The Georgian forced Kaisei to the straw and levered him out to a fifth defeat.

Shodai, who wrestled as a sekiwake in January 2017, is looking to regain some traction in his career. Shodai absorbed his opponent's charge, and got both arms under those of the No. 6 maegashira. Shodai locked up Chiyoshoma's torso and steered him out.

On Friday, Shodai will aim for his sixth straight win but will need to get past Kaisei for the first time. The have fought five times in their career and the Japanese wrestler has yet to win.

Goeido, the sole ozeki competing here following the withdrawal of Takayasu, was headed for a slapping stalemate with Yutakayama (0-5), but a well-timed lunge spun the surprised No. 3 maegashira around and he was easily shoved out.

Natsu Basho: Day 5 Makuuchi Results

[jnight]

Day 6-

Yokozuna Hakuho relinquished his perfect record Friday in a shock loss to second-ranked maegashira Abi on Day 6 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

With Hakuho apparently looking for a belt hold, the 24-year-old Abi drove his head and shoulder into the all-time championship record-holder's chest, driving him backward out of the ring in just 2.9 seconds.

The surprise result leaves New Year Grand Tournament winner Tochinoshin as the only unbeaten wrestler in the ongoing 15-day meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Sekiwake Tochinoshin himself came within an inch of his first loss before turning the tables against No. 3 Yutakayama. The powerful Georgian struggled to gain his footing from the outset and was driven back by his stocky opponent to the edge of the ring. Tochinoshin planted one foot on the straw, however, before throwing Yutakayama down and denying him a first win.

Grand champion Kakuryu (5-1) quickly slapped down No. 3 maegashira Daeisho, who never looked a threat to cause an upset that would have given him his first win of the meet.

Ozeki Goeido continued his forgettable tournament, dropping to 3-3 with a loss to No. 4 Chiyotairyu. The pair shoved and slapped each other after the opening clash, but it was the lower-ranked wrestler who secured the win by pushdown to improve to 4-2.

Giant sekiwake Ichinojo (4-2) tasted defeat for the second straight day, losing to No. 1 Tamawashi. As the two Mongolians collided, Tamawashi (2-4) gained the stronger leverage to push out his 225-kilogram opponent.

Second-ranked maegashira Shodai lost his unbeaten record at the hands of No. 1 Kaisei. The pair tried driving each other back after the opening clash, but it was the 204-kg Brazilian who had the momentum, quickly bulldozing former sekiwake Shodai over the straw.

Kaisei, who remained in contention until late at March's Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, got his first win of the current meet and remained unbeaten in six bouts against Shodai.

In the komusubi clash, Mitakeumi (4-2) prevailed over Endo (3-3) in a brief but entertaining bout. After a flurry of blows in the center of the ring, the former sekiwake got a hand to his opponent's belt and threw him to the ground.

[jnight]

Day 7-

Both yokozuna remained a win off the pace Saturday with routine victories on Day 7 of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

Grand champion Hakuho (6-1) bounced back from his shock loss to second-ranked maegashira Abi the previous day at Ryogoku Kokugikan, quickly forcing out No. 4 maegashira Chiyotairyu (4-3) by the belt.

Fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu (6-1) had to work a little harder for his win, wheeling away from No. 3 Yutakayama (0-7) before thrusting him down.

Georgian-born sekiwake Tochinoshin remained the only wrestler with a perfect record, moving to 7-0 with a default win over komusubi Endo (3-4), who withdrew from the tournament earlier in the day with an injured right arm.

Endo, who was promoted to the lowest of the three "sanyaku" ranks beneath yokozuna following the Spring Grand Tournament, suffered the injury in his loss to fellow komusubi Mitakeumi on Day 6.

A day after his stunning win over Hakuho, Abi (3-4) claimed another high-profile victim, making short work of ozeki Goeido (3-4).

Anticipating his opponent's charge, Abi quickly adjusted his position before redirecting Goeido's momentum to send him to the clay.

No. 2 Shohozan pulled off an impressive win against giant sekiwake Ichinojo (4-3) despite an 84-kilogram weight disadvantage. As the pair locked up in the center of the ring, Shohozan got a grip on his much taller opponent's belt before upending him with a turning throw.

Mitakeumi (4-3) provided little resistance to No. 1 maegashira Kaisei (2-5), trying in vain to push back the 204-km Brazilian before being hoisted over the straw by his belt.

[jnight]

Day 8-

Ozeki aspirant Tochinoshin improved to 8-0 on Sunday as the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament reached its midpoint.

The Georgian, who could be promoted to the rank of ozeki with 10 wins here, won a battle of muscle over mass to hang onto his sole lead ahead of the Mongolian yokozuna duo of Hakuho and Kakuryu. No. 11 maegashira Chiyonokuni was also a win back after eight days at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Tochinoshin moved a mountain to earn his eighth win, holding off fellow sekiwake Ichinojo after starting off on the back foot against the 225-kilogram Mongolian. Surrendering an underarm belt hold at the start, Tochinoshin dug in and stalled his opponent's progress at mid-ring.

With a long stalemate appearing in the cards, Tochinoshin rewrote the script. Although his attempt at an overarm throw failed to topple Ichinojo, it broke the stalemate.

As Ichinojo struggled to keep his feet, Tochinoshin slipped both arms under his opponent's for a double "moro zashi" hold on the back of the sekiwake's belt. Firmly in control, Tochinoshin forced Ichinojo back to the straw and eventually rocked and hoisted him backward over the straw bales to a fourth defeat.

Hakuho, eyeing his 41st career grand tournament championship, had to battle from start to finish to overcome Yutakayama. The winless No. 3 maegashira held his own in a contest of slaps and shoves with the yokozuna.

With his right hand on the yokozuna's throat and the thumb on his windpipe, Yutakayama drove Hakuho back. The maegashira then lowered his head like a battering ram and lunged forward. But the technique that had failed to drive out Tochinoshin on Friday, fared even worse against Hakuho. The yokozuna dodged the blow and his furious counterattack drove Yutakayama from the ring.

Kakuryu, on the other hand, easily stayed one win off the pace, grabbing No. 4 maegashira Chiyotairyu's belt on the opening charge and flinging him to the sandy surface.

Earlier, Chiyonokuni improved to 7-1 by slapping down dynamic No. 13 maegashira Ishiura (2-6).

Ozeki Goeido suffered his fifth loss, shoved out by No. 3 maegashira Daieisho (2-6) and increasing the chances that he will finish with fewer than eight wins here and have to fight to maintain his ozeki status in July's grand tournament.

[jnight]

Day 9-



Goeido became the second ozeki to pull out of the ongoing Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday, leaving no wrestler in the second-highest rank left to compete in the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

According to Goeido's stablemaster Sakaigawa, the 32-year-old wrestler from Osaka has been suffering from chronic pain in his left ankle and was diagnosed Sunday with osteochondral bone defect that will require four weeks of recovery.

Goeido, who leaves with a 3-6 record, joins fellow ozeki Takayasu and yokozuna Kisenosato on the casualty list. Takayasu is out with a left upper arm injury and will fight in a demotion-threatened "kadoban" status at the Nagoya meet in July.

Takayasu's Tagonoura stablemate Kisenosato, who is recovering from a left chest muscle injury, extended his streak of missed events to a yokozuna-equaling seven meets by choosing not to compete.

Goeido lost his last three bouts and will forfeit his scheduled bout against sekiwake Ichinojo on Monday and be given a loss by default.

For the seventh time in his career Goeido will fight as a "kadoban" ozeki in July. It is also the seventh time he will miss all or part of a meet.

"I think it's his left ankle. I noticed his feet had been unable to get a firm grip on the dohyo. I told him to quit on the third day but he insisted he stay (in the tournament)," Sakaigawa said.

Sekiwake Tochinoshin retained his lead and a perfect record with an easy victory over No. 3 maegashira Daieisho on Monday, the ninth day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

Tochinoshin, who could be promoted to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki with 10 wins here, once again showcased his brute strength in a one-sided win against Daieisho (2-7) at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

The Georgian grabbed onto his opponent's belt with both hands, lifted the 162-kilogram maegashira clear off his feet and pushed him out of the ring. Tochinoshin, who won his first makuuchi division championship in January, improved his career record against Daieisho to 3-1.

Yokozuna Kakuryu and Hakuho, along with No. 11 maegashira Chiyonokuni, had convincing wins and remain one back of the sekiwake with eight victories each.

In the day's final bout, Kakuryu, who is aiming for his first back-to-back championship, defeated Shodai (6-3) in seconds after steamrolling the No. 4 maegashira straight from the ring.

Hakuho, who missed the March tourney due to injury, took down No. 5 Kotoshogiku (6-3) and improved to 8-1 since suffering a shock defeat three days ago to No. 2 Abi.

The Mongolian yokozuna, eyeing his 41st championship title, bulldozed Kotoshogiku toward the edge. After his opponent gained a few feet back, the grand champion executed a textbook overarm throw to stay in contention.

Hakuho will wrestle komusubi Endo (3-4-2) in Tuesday's final bout. The fan-favorite Endo will make his return to the raised ring after pulling out due to a right-arm injury on Saturday.

Chiyonokuni (8-1) secured a winning record at the meet after beating No. 14 Takekaze (4-5). Chiyonokuni took control by slapping his opponent's face with his left hand while pushing Takekaze's chest with his right, forcing Takekaze to hop out of the ring.

The 27-year-old Chiyonokuni posted his first winning record since September 2017, when he fought as the No. 7 maegashira. "I told myself not to concentrate too much on winning or losing, and just do my best," the Kokonoe stable wrestler said. "I'm really glad."

Sekiwake Ichinojo (5-4) snapped his four-match losing streak with a default win over ozeki Goeido (3-6), who pulled out from the meet earlier in the day with left-ankle trouble. Goeido joins fellow ozeki Takayasu and yokozuna Kisenosato on the casualty list here. It is the first time two ozeki have withdrawn from a tournament since the sport went to 15-day meets in 1949.

[jnight]

Day 10-

Yokozuna Hakuho overcame a spirited effort Tuesday from komusubi Endo to remain one win off the pace at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

Fellow grand champion Kakuryu likewise improved to 9-1 with a somewhat controversial win, while tournament leader Tochinoshin maintained a perfect record on Day 10 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

In the final bout of the day, all-time championship record-holder Hakuho squared off against the fan-favorite Endo (3-5-2), who was making his return to the raised ring after pulling out of the tournament Saturday with an injured right arm.

With Hakuho seeking a belt hold in the opening exchange, Endo initially retreated to the edge of the ring before fighting his way through a flurry of slaps from the grand champion to gain forward momentum.

As the younger fighter attempted to push the Mongolian out, Hakuho was able to turn him around and shove him out from behind.

In the day's shortest bout, Kakuryu slapped down No. 5 maegashira Kotoshogiku (6-4) in half a second, earning an easy win but also the disapproval of some sumo purists in the crowd for his use of a frowned-upon evasive technique.

Sekiwake Tochinoshin used brute force to overcome No. 4 Chiyotairyu (4-6) and retain sole lead in the tournament with a perfect 10-0 record.

Chiyotairyu opened with a shoulder charge but failed to budge Tochinoshin, allowing the powerful Georgian to gain a belt hold before lifting the 190-kilogram maegashira over the straw.

In a highly entertaining bout, komusubi Mitakeumi (7-3) gutted out a tough win against No. 5 Ikioi (7-3) after being driven to the edge of the straw.

After nearly pushing out his opponent, former sekiwake Mitakeumi was forced backward, planting his feet on the inside of the straw before throwing Ikioi to the ground.

The biggest man in the tournament, 224-kg sekiwake Ichinojo, improved to 6-4 when he easily pushed out No. 4 Shodai (6-4) in 3.7 seconds.

[jnight]

Day 11-

Tochinoshin remained at the top of the heap with an unbeaten record on Wednesday, the 11th day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. Tochinoshin remained one win ahead of Hakuho and fellow yokozuna Kakuryu, who survived a scare against komusubi Mitakeumi (7-4) at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Tochinoshin, who is gunning for a second makuuchi division championship and an ozeki promotion, overturned an initial challenge from No. 5 maegashira Kotoshogiku (6-5) to continue the best start of his career.

Kotoshogiku, who entered the match with a 24-7 career record against Tochinoshin, got the better of the initial charge by seizing a left-hand overarm hold.

The Georgian was momentarily pushed back by his opponent before Kotoshogiku withstood Tochinoshin’s attempt to toss him with his right arm. But the sekiwake saw an opening and maneuvered into his favored left-handed belt grip, then slammed the maegashira down with a powerful overarm throw.

On Thursday, Tochinoshin will face Hakuho, whom he has yet to beat in 25 matchups.

Hakuho, who is chasing a record-extending 41st title after withdrawing from this year’s first two basho, easily dispatched No. 4 Shodai (6-5) in Wednesday’s penultimate bout.

Kakuryu made good progress on his opening slap-and-shove assault against Mitakeumi. But the komusubi found a second wind with his back to the straw, countered and nearly drove the yokozuna from the ring.

But Kakuryu’s well-executed retreat forced the youngster to lunge forward off balance. As Kakuryu danced away to one side, he slapped the stumbling Mitakeumi down at the straw bales.

Sekiwake Ichinojo (7-4) earned a quick victory over Chiyotairyu (4-7), when the hefty Mongolian stopped the No. 4 maegashira’s charge and turned him out of the ring by his belt.

Fan-favorite Endo (3-6-2) was pushed to a losing record by top-ranked maegashira Tamawashi (4-7), meaning a likely forfeiture of his recently-gained komusubi status.

Tamawashi stood his ground after the initial clash, then easily forced his opponent out to post an eighth straight win over Endo, who lost to Hakuho upon returning to the ring Tuesday after withdrawing for two bouts due to a right-arm injury.

Among the lower-ranked wrestlers, No. 11 Chiyonokuni (8-3), who was the only wrestler two wins off the pace after Day 10, fell further behind after losing to No. 16 Myogiryu (8-3).

At the bottom of the table, No. 15 Kyokutaisei (8-3) defeated Bulgarian juryo wrestler Gagamaru (2-9) to secure a winning record in his makuuchi-division debut.

[jnight]

Day 12-

Sekiwake Tochinoshin maintained his perfect record and sole share of the lead Thursday with a breakthrough victory over yokozuna Hakuho on Day 12 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. The Georgian-born sekiwake came into the final bout of the day at Ryogoku Kokugikan without a single win in 25 previous attempts against the all-time championship record-holder.

After a false start from Hakuho, the pair locked up in the center of the ring, each gripping the other's belt with nearly identical holds.

With the two powerfully built wrestlers holding each other in a stalemate, it was Tochinoshin who was able to dislodge his opponent's foothold before pushing him to the straw. As Hakuho dug in his heels, Tochinoshin mustered the strength for a final drive to force the grand champion over the straw bales.

The loss dropped Hakuho to 10-2 and into third place at the 15-day tournament. Fellow Mongolian grand champion Kakuryu (11-1) moved into sole share of second place following his win over Ikioi (8-4) in the penultimate bout of the day.

The yokozuna needed nimble footwork to overcome the aggressive No. 5 maegashira, who secured a winning record the previous day.

The lower-ranked wrestler took the offensive from the outset as he sought to grab hold of the grand champion. Kakuryu backpedaled while slapping at Ikioi before pouncing on an opening for a push-out victory.

Komusubi Mitakeumi (7-4) hit a speedbump in his bid to regain sekiwake status in the form of No. 4 Chiyotairyu (5-7). The lower-ranked wrestler opened the bout with a shoulder blast that knocked his opponent backward and left him vulnerable to a quick push out.

Popular komusubi Endo (3-7-2) succumbed to No. 1 Kaisei (4-8) in his third-straight loss since returning to the tournament after a two-match injury layoff.

Endo started the match on the front foot, driving Kaisei backward until the 204-kilogram Brazilian dug in at the edge of the straw. As Endo tried to force him out, Kaisei leveraged his 52-kg weight advantage to twist his opponent to the clay.

No. 5 Kotoshogiku (7-5) forced out Ichinojo (7-5) to move within one victory of a winning record for the tournament. The former ozeki resisted an attempted throw by the 224-kg Mongolian before driving him backward over the straw.

[jnight]

Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu grabbed a share of the lead Friday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament after sekiwake Tochinoshin suffered his first loss. Kakuryu (12-1) dispatched sekiwake Ichinojo (7-6) in Day 13's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, using good technique to overcome a 65-kilogram weight disadvantage against the biggest wrestler in the makuuchi division.

The grand champion quickly secured an inside grip with both hands, resisting an attempted lift before driving his towering compatriot to the straw bales. As Ichinojo tried to push back, Kakuryu found the leverage to dislodge the 225-kg, 193-centimeter giant.

Tochinoshin (12-1) is all but guaranteed promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki following his Day 12 win over grand champion Hakuho. But the Georgian once more fell victim to No. 4 maegashira Shodai, who also beat him at the Spring Grand Tournament in Osaka.

Tochinoshin slammed into Shodai at the outset, but the maegashira held his ground, driving forward against the powerful sekiwake. Unable to secure a belt grip, Tochinoshin surged forward but appeared to lose his footing, allowing the backpedaling Shodai to pull him down to the clay.

With the victory, Shodai (8-5) secured a winning record with two days remaining in the 15-day tournament. The result also left the door open for all-time championship record-holder Hakuho, who improved to 11-2 with a win over No. 5 Ikioi (8-5).

Hakuho drove Ikioi to the edge of the ring before the maegashira fought his way back to the center. As the pair locked up in the middle, Hakuho patiently set his grip before once again maneuvering his opponent to the edge and upending him with an overarm throw.

Komusubi Mitakeumi (8-5) secured a winning record with a victory over fifth-ranked Kotoshogiku (7-6). After locking up his opponent in the opening exchange, the former sekiwake looked set to execute a quick force-out, but was pushed back to the center of the ring before eventually driving the one-time ozeki out.

Komosubi Endo (3-7-2) succumbed to a push-out against tenacious No. 2 Shohozan (6-7) to remain winless since returning to the tournament after missing two bouts with a right-arm injury.

[jnight]

Day 14-


Grand champion Kakuryu defeated sekiwake Tochinoshin and took the sole lead with one day remaining in the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. Kakuryu (13-1) is now one win ahead of Tochinoshin (12-2), while grand champion Hakuho (11-3) suffered a shocking loss that cost him his chance of a record-extending 41st championship.

Kakuryu will face fellow Mongolian Hakuho in Sunday's final bout in a bid to win back-to-back championships for the first time in his career.

The Izutsu stable yokozuna lost to Tochinoshin in March, when the Mongolian won with a 13-2 record. But Kakuryu did not slip up this time and improved his career record against the Georgian to 22-2.

Tochinoshin surrendered an underarm belt hold to Kakuryu, despite bulldozing him toward the edge of the ring with force. Kakuryu resisted and pushed his opponent back, and hooked his right leg and threw the 169-kilogram Tochinoshin down.

Tochinoshin, who is all but guaranteed promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, had a perfect record here until suffering a loss to No. 4 maegashira Shodai (9-5) on Friday. The 30-year-old Tochinoshin, who is aiming for his second makuuchi division championship after his triumph in January, will face No. 5 Ikioi (8-6) on Sunday.

In the day's final bout, Hakuho suffered his third loss, and fell two wins back of Kakuryu. Hakuho won three of the six meets in 2017, but had not been able to complete a full tournament this year due to injury.

Sekiwake Ichinojo secured a winning record after holding onto Hakuho's belt with his left hand and pulling his Mongolian compatriot forward. It was his second win over the yokozuna in their 12 career bouts.

No. 2 maegashira Abi (7-7), who beat Hakuho on Day 6, forced No. 3 Yutakayama (2-12) out of the ring. The 24-year-old has finished two tournaments with 10-5 records since joining the top makuuchi division in January.

The Shikoroyama stable wrestler will face No. 8 Yoshikaze (7-7) on Sunday in a bid to post a winning record for his third straight makuuchi division meet.

The two popular komusubi lost their bouts. Mitakeumi (8-6) was pushed to the edge and thrown out of the ring by Shodai and had to limp back to the locker room.

Endo (3-9-2) has been winless since making his return to the ring on Monday after missing two days with injury. He was defeated by No. 4 Chiyotairyu (6-8).

[jnight]

Day 15-

Kakuryu defeated rival yokozuna Hakuho to win the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday and capture back-to-back championships for the first time in his career. Needing a win to avoid a championship playoff with ozeki-in-waiting Tochinoshin, Kakuryu defeated Hakuho for just the seventh time in their 46 career bouts. The championship is the fifth of Kakuryu's career.

"Since I became a yokozuna this (two-straight titles) has been a target of mine," Kakuryu said. "Last year was a challenge for me, but so many people believed in me and supported me. The desire to repay them and make them happy has motivated me."

Hakuho had entered the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan looking for his first championship of the year after he had withdrawn in both January and March. But a shock defeat on Saturday left him out of the running.

Kakuryu (14-1) got the better of Hakuho (11-4) on the initial charge, hooking his left hand under the side of his rival's belt and grabbing the front with his right. Kakuryu forced Hakuho back to the straw only for his opponent to counterattack and return the fight to the center of the ring.

Although he was able to get strong-looking grips on the back of Kakuryu's belt, Hakuho found himself pressured backward until the unstoppable Kakuryu rocked him out of the ring to secure the championship.

"This was not the first time I've been in a battle for a championship," Kakuryu said. "I knew I had to focus on my sumo, and I was able to do just that."

Tochinoshin (13-2), who is virtually assured promotion to ozeki, the sport's second-highest rank, defeated No. 5 maegashira Ikioi (8-7) in the day's penultimate bout. Although he failed to win his second career championship, Tochinoshin received two of the sport's coveted special prizes, his third career Technique Prize and his sixth Fighting Spirit Prize.

Fighting with a taped-up right wrist he hurt on Friday, Tochinoshin grabbed his favored left-hand overarm grip on the initial charge. With Ikioi distracted by Tochinoshin's left, the sekiwake snuck his right hand onto the maegashira's belt and then hoisted him over the straw bales to set up a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.

The 30-year-old Tochinoshin won January's New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with a 14-1 record, and earned the Outstanding Performance Award in March, when he finished at 10-5.

On Sunday, sumo elder Onomatsu, the Japan Sumo Association's judging director, said JSA chairman Hakkaku had agreed to convene a board of directors meeting to discuss Tochinoshin's promotion. To date, no promotion recommendation has been rejected by the board.

No. 11 maegashira Chiyonokuni (12-3) and makuuchi-division debutant No. 15 Kyokutaisei (10-5), each received a Fighting Spirit Prize, the first special prizes of their careers. No. 2 maegashira Shohozan (8-7), who defeated Kakuryu on Day 4, earned the Outstanding Performance Prize.

No. 2 maegashira Abi (7-8) finished with his first losing record after going 10-5 his first two grand tournaments in the elite makuuchi division.

Mitakeumi, demoted to komusubi for this tournament after a lengthy run at sekiwake, appears poised to return to that rank after defeating sekiwake Ichinojo (8-7) and finishing with a 9-6 record.