Sumo- 2018 Aki Basho

[jnight]

Grand champion Kisenosato made a winning return on Sunday at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament after missing a record-setting eight consecutive meets due to injury.

Mongolian grand champions Hakuho and Kakuryu followed Kisenosato by winning their respective bouts on the first day of the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. All three yokozuna competed together for the first time since January.

Day 1-

Kisenosato has his career on the line after missing all or part of the last eight tournaments due to a left chest muscle injury, but he managed to open the tournament with a convincing win over top-ranked maegashira Ikioi.

In front of a cheering crowd, Kisenosato, the first Japan-born wrestler in 19 years to gain promotion to sumo's highest rank, wrapped his arms around Ikioi and charged him out of the ring.

Hakuho beat Tamawashi, slapping the komusubi's face for a belt-hold and a quick push out, while Kakuryu drove out komusubi Takakeisho in the day's final bout.

Ozeki Tochinoshin posted an easy win over No. 2 Chiyotairyu by charging him toward the edge and lifting him over the straw. The Georgian, who is fighting in his second meet since being promoted, is fighting as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki and needs at least eight wins to maintain his status at the next grand tournament.

The remaining ozeki had mixed fates. Takayasu bulldozed No. 2 maegashira Yutakayama out, but Goeido lost his bout to Brazilian maegashira Kaisei.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi, who won his first career championship in July, started his campaign for a second-straight championship and promotion to ozeki by beating No. 3 Shodai.

Mitakeumi was pushed toward the edge by the 162-kilogram Shodai, but he bounced back and shoved him out before any harm was done.

In a bout between No. 14 maegashira wrestlers, makuuchi-division debutant Takanosho overcame a 36-kg weight disadvantage to earn his first win over Chiyomaru.

[valo777]

Where can I watch this live if possible? I have always been interested but I don't know where I can watch it.

[jnight]

Sept 9, 2018 20:51:55 GMT -5 valo777 said:

Where can I watch this live if possible? I have always been interested but I don't know where I can watch it.

I always watch on NHK's English language channel that is on our local PBS station. The thirty minute highlight show is on three times a day. You can watch live online but one has to take into account it's Japan time, super early for us in the USA. I'm sure you can livestream it too but no doubt it will be in Japanese. The Youtube link is usually the NHK highlight show with the top ten to thirteen matches. It took me a few tournaments to get the basics down with the rules and the which rikishi (wrestlers) I liked. There are six tournaments each year, every other month, 15-days long.

This is a good video on the basics of sumo.

[jnight]

Day 2-

Grand champion Kisenosato continued his comeback from injury in winning fashion Monday with a hard-fought victory over komusubi Takakeisho at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Returning after missing a record eight-straight meets, Kisenosato withstood an opening onslaught from the quick and powerful up-and-comer to secure an impressive win on Day 2 of the 15-day tourney.

Takakeisho (0-2) looked victory bound after turning Kisenosato around and slinging him by his belt to the edge of the straw, but the Japanese-born grand champion held his ground, gripping the komusubi by his torso before thrusting him to the deck.

All three yokozuna stayed undefeated at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan after Mongolian-born grand champions Kakuryu and Hakuho won their respective bouts.

Kakuryu made quick work of No. 1 maegashira Kaisei (1-1), using a left hand grip to turn around his opponent and push him out from the rear.

He improved to 14-0 against the Brazilian-born wrestler, who is still chasing his first "kinboshi" award for beating a grand champion.

No. 1 Ikioi (0-2) made Hakuho work hard for his victory in the final bout of the day. The all-time championship record-holder found himself pushed to the edge of the ring before toppling Ikioi with an overarm throw.

Ozeki Goeido advanced to 1-1 after withstanding a vigorous thrusting attack from Mongolian komusubi Tamawashi (0-2).

Tamawashi gained forward momentum following the jump after plowing straight through Goeido's opening face slap. The ozeki shoved his opponent back, however, securing an inside left-hand grip before forcing him out.

Ozeki Tochinoshin stayed undefeated following a straightforward win over No. 2 Yutakayama (0-2). The powerfully built Georgian, who retired from the previous tourney with a foot injury, held his ground against a charging Yutakayama before lifting him out by the belt.

Ozeki Takayasu also stayed perfect with a push-out victory over sekiwake Ichinojo (1-1), snapping a three-match losing streak against the giant Mongolian.

Facing a 47-kilogram disadvantage, Takayasu used footspeed to evade the heaviest man in the division before hitting low and hard to drive him from the ring.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi, who won his first career title at July's Nagoya grand tourney, moved to 2-0 with a push-out victory over Chiyotairyu, ranked No. 2 among the rank-and-file maegashira wrestlers.

Having won their previous meeting in May, Chiyotairyu (0-2) almost pushed and slapped his to another victory, but Mitakeumi stood firm at the edge of the ring before shoving his opponent out backward.

[jnight]

Day 3

Grand champion Kisenosato secured a third consecutive victory in his first meet back from injury on Tuesday, as most of the elite wrestlers in the top division maintained spotless records at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the day's final bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Kisenosato braved a flurry of slaps from maegashira No. 2 Yutakayama (0-3) and drove his opponent to the straw on the third day of the 15-day tournament. But Yutakayama did not relent, as the pair, fighting for the first time, locked arms and battled to gain the upper hand.

After a brief pause, Yutakayama looked set to earn his first win against a grand champion when he drove the yokozuna to edge of the ring, but Kisenosato dug in and twisted Yutakayama down while falling to the clay himself.

The referees were called out to debate the outcome and eventually awarded the match to the dogged grand champion.

Mongolian grand champions Kakuryu and Hakuho also picked up wins, defeating top-ranked maegashira Ikioi (0-3) and Kaisei (1-2), respectively. All three yokozuna are competing together for the first time since January.

Kakuryu, who withdrew from the July meet where he had been seeking a three-peat, survived a solid effort from Ikioi, who has won five "kinboshi" awards for defeating a grand champion. Kakuryu slipped to the side as the winless maegashira attempted a final shove and thrusted Ikioi down to the clay.

Hakuho, still looking for a record-extending 41st makuuchi division title, fought for a solid belt-hold on the Brazilian-born Kaisei and eventually turned him around and down with a strong under-arm throw.

After a simultaneous fall was deemed too close to call, a rematch between defending champion Mitakeumi (3-0) and komusubi Tamawashi (0-3) went in favor of the sekiwake. Mitakeumi, gunning for an ozeki promotion and a second straight top division title, took the force of Tamawashi's initial charge and tried to push back, but changed tack for a quick slap-down win.

Takakeisho (1-2) caused the upset of the night, beating ozeki Tochinoshin (2-1) for his first win of the tournament. The spry komusubi blasted inside the powerful Georgian's reach, found his left arm and pulled Tochinoshin down to his first loss.

Ozeki Goeido (2-1) charged in fast against sekiwake Ichinojo (1-2), turning the 227-kilogram Mongolian to his side by the belt and deftly pushing the big man out for the win. The two wrestlers are now tied after 16 career matchups.

Ozeki Takayasu (3-0) held on for a win against Chiyotairyu (0-3). The No. 2 maegashira drove Takayasu to the straw and tried to thrust the ozeki out, but Takayasu brought down a powerful left-handed shove as he twisted out of harm's way and slapped his opponent out.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers, No. 5 Asanoyama, No. 8 Kotoshogiku, No. 9 Hokutofuji, No. 12 Nishikigi, and No. 15 Yoshikaze all maintained perfect records.

Fan-favorite Endo remained winless after narrowly losing to No. 3 Shodai (1-2), while No. 11 Kyokutaisei (1-2) earned his first win but left the ring limping after injuring his right knee in a bout against No. 10 Daieisho (1-2).

No. 14 Takanosho (1-2), who made a winning makuuchi division debut on Sunday, was thrusted down by No. 15 Chiyoshoma (2-1) for his second straight defeat.

[jnight]

Day 4-

Grand champion Kisenosato emptied the tanks yet again and pulled off his fourth consecutive win Wednesday at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kisenosato had to muster all of his strength to take on top-ranked maegashira Kaisei (1-3), the second heaviest wrestler in the top division who boasts a 31-kilogram weight advantage over the grand champion.

The two wrestlers locked belts and held strong over the 59-second match until Kisenosato finally stepped on the gas and edged his opponent out. The Japanese yokozuna earned the win and a bloody nose for his effort, and improved to 12-0 against the Brazilian, who is still looking for his first win against a grand champion.

All three grand champions and all three ozeki earned wins on the fourth day of the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

In the day's final bout, Kakuryu turned around No. 2 maegashira Yutakayama (0-4) and pushed him over the straw. Hakuho defeated winless Chiyotairyu (0-4), hurling him to the ground with masterful overarm throw after keeping the No. 2 maegashira on the ropes.

Goeido (3-1) and Takayasu (4-0) recorded quick victories against No. 1 maegashira Ikioi (0-4) and komusubi Takakeisho (1-3), as each ozeki easily pulled their respective opponents down after blocking the initial charge.

Komusubi Tamawashi (0-4) had to fight a second straight rematch, this time against ozeki Tochinoshin (3-1).

In their first bout, Tochinoshin went for a fast pull-down but Tamawashi bounced back and pushed the Georgian to the edge of the ring. As Tamawashi made a diving charge, Tochinoshin pulled his opponent down and the wrestlers' simultaneous fall was deemed too close to call.

The second time around, Tamawashi quickly drove a bloody-faced Tochinoshin to the edge again, but Tochinoshin maneuvered to the side and used the momentum for a thrust-down victory. Tamawashi also lost a rematch against Mitakeumi on Day 3.

Tochinoshin is fighting as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki and needs at least eight wins to maintain his status at the next grand tournament.

Defending champion Mitakeumi (4-0), seeking a second straight top division title and possible ozeki promotion, got the better of Ichinojo (1-3). Mitakeumi dug in fast against the 227-kilogram Mongolian and pushed Ichinojo out with a massive effort. The sekiwake pair had split their previous six meetings.

Among the five lower-ranked wrestlers who started the day with spotless records, only No. 9 Hokutofuji and No. 15 Yoshikaze remain undefeated. Fan-favorite No. 3 Endo (1-3) picked up his first win for defeating No. 4 Chiyonokuni (1-3).

Kyokutaisei (1-3), who went 10-5 in his makuuchi division debut in May, withdrew after suffering knee injuries in a bout against No. 10 Daieisho (2-2) on Tuesday. Kyokutaisei's stablemaster Tomozuna said there is a possibility the No. 11 maegashira will return to the tournament. "He was able to do a squat (on Tuesday evening)," Tomozuna said. "We'll look at the situation in a few days and if he can come back, he might re-enter".

[jnight]

Day 5-

Grand champion Hakuho survived a scare against komusubi Takakeisho on Thursday as all three yokozuna stayed undefeated at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Chasing his first victory over the all-time championship record holder, rising talent Takakeisho (1-4) looked to be on the verge of an upset on the fifth day of the 15-day tournament as he pushed Hakuho to the straw.

However, the Mongolian grand champion sidestepped Takakeisho's attempt at a force out, pulling him off balance before slapping him to the floor of the ring at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

In perhaps his strongest performance of the tournament so far, Kisenosato was once again made to backpedal before winning with an impressive overhand throw against Shodai, No. 3 among the rank-and-file maegashira.

After securing an inside grip, Shodai (2-3) countered an attempted throw by Kisenosato and drove the Japanese yokozuna to the edge of the ring. But as the maegashira looked to gain a grip with both hands, Kisenosato sent him tumbling to the clay.

The other Mongolian grand champion, Kakuryu, showed superior speed and technique against No. 2 maegashira Chiyotairyu to secure a routine win by front force out.

Kakuryu was much faster than his opponent out of the blocks, getting an outside belt grip with his right hand and quickly driving Chiyotairyu (0-5) out backwards.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi stayed perfect with a well-executed win over Georgian ozeki Tochinoshin (3-2).

Winner of the previous tournament in Nagoya, Mitakeumi opened with a powerful two-handed thrust, preventing Tochinoshin from gaining a belt grip. With the powerful Georgian at the edge of the straw, the sekiwake forced him out backward.

Mitakeumi, who could secure promotion to ozeki with a strong result at this tournament, said he welcomed the pressure that came with high expectations.

"I think the pressure is positive. I knew Tochinoshin would try to grab my mawashi belt, so I wanted to go low and stay inside. He did get a left outside grip, but I was able to keep my hip placement low and move forward," Nagano Prefecture native Mitakeumi said.

Ozeki Takayasu (5-0) demonstrated patience and strong technique to keep No. 1 Ikioi winless. The maegashira opened aggressively and applied an arm hold to his higher-ranked opponent, but Takayasu was able to slip from his grip before pushing him out from behind.

The other ozeki, Goeido, improved to 4-1 with a default victory after his scheduled opponent, No. 2 maegashira Yutakayama (0-5), pulled out with an ankle injury.

Sekiwake Ichinojo (2-3) broke his three-match losing streak with a force-out win over komusubi Tamawashi (0-5). The 227-kilogram Mongolian withstood an opening barrage before gaining an inside grip with both hands and hoisting his compatriot over the straw.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers, ninth-ranked Hokutofuji and 15th-ranked Yoshikaze maintained perfect records with push-out victories over No. 8 Kotoshogiku (3-2) and No. 14 Chiyomaru (1-4), respectively.

[jnight]

Day 6-



Yokozuna Kisenosato tasted his first defeat of the Autumn Tournament, losing in an upset to No. 2 maegashira Chiyotairyu. The other two yokozuna remained undefeated, while ozeki Takayasu also maintained a perfect record.

Seeking a quick result following a run of energy-sapping victories, Kisenosato charged his opponent from the jump in the final bout of the day. Chiyotairyu (1-5) sidestepped the yokozuna, however, slipping to his left before pushing him out.

Hakuho beat No. 3 Shodai (2-4) after judges reversed an initial ruling handing the bout to the maegashira. Having taken an inside grip at the jump, the yokozuna drove Shodai to the edge of the straw before being toppled with a last-ditch overarm throw. After conferring in the center, the officials determined Shodai’s heel touched outside the ring while initiating the throw.

Kakuryu continued to look the most impressive among the three yokozuna in his thrust-out victory over komusubi Tamawashi (0-6). After having his grip attempt deflected, Kakuryu used his quick hands and lower body strength to drive his compatriot out backward.

Takayasu put on a powerful display against No. 1 maegashira Kaisei. The ozeki hit his opponent hard with an opening shoulder charge, then countered an attempted throw before forcing him out.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi, winner of the previous tournament in Nagoya, suffered his first loss of the meet against ozeki Goeido (5-1). The ozeki drove Mitakeumi back from the jump, but the sekiwake dug in to halt his forward momentum. As both wrestlers gripped each other’s belt, Goeido dropped his hips low and bulldozed his way to the win.

A day after being manhandled by Mitakeumi, ozeki Tochinoshin (4-2) bounced back with a decisive win over No. 1 Ikioi (0-6). Sporting a black eye courtesy of his Day 4 bout against Tamawashi, the powerfully built Georgian slipped to the side of the charging Ikioi and slapped him to the clay.

Komusubi Takakeisho (2-4) scored an impressive win over sekiwake Ichinojo (2-4). Facing a 57-kg weight disadvantage against the biggest man in the division, Takakeisho jumped quickly out of the blocks, pushing and thrusting at Ichinojo, who was unable to secure a grip and stepped out backwards. Though Takakeisho has only two wins, both have come against top-ranked opponents. He beat Tochinoshin on the third day.

No. 15 Yoshikaze (5-1) suffered his first loss of the meet against No. 13 Ryuden (5-1), leaving ninth-ranked Hokutofuji as the only undefeated rank-and-file wrestler following his triumph over No. 7 Tochiozan (2-4).

[jnight]

Day 7

A day after his first loss, grand champion Kisenosato bounced back with a hard-fought win over No. 4 maegashira Chiyonokuni at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday. Ozeki Takayasu also stayed perfect as he maintained his pursuit for a breakthrough tournament victory.

Kisenosato (6-1) once again looked less than convincing but nevertheless earned a rousing ovation after outlasting his rank-and-file opponent. Chiyonokuni (2-5) started the more aggressive of the two, slapping and thrusting while Kisenosato looked to gain a belt grip.

The sole Japanese yokozuna, fighting for his career after missing an unprecedented eight meets through injury, withstood an attempted leg sweep before securing a left arm belt grip. The pair then grappled for position in an energy-sapping battle before the grand champion forced Chiyonokuni's foot over the straw as he attempted to initiate a throw.

All-time championship record holder Hakuho barely broke a sweat in the penultimate bout of the day against No. 3 Endo (1-6). The maegashira flew at Hakuho from the jump but was pushed back and lost his footing, slipping to the clay.

Kakuryu looked impressive with another dominant win, this time over No. 3 maegashira Shodai (2-5). Unable to secure a belt grip at the opening, the yokozuna quickly drove his opponent from the ring with a rapid-fire combination of slaps and thrusts.

Ozeki Goeido (6-1) stayed one win off the pace by pushing out No. 2 Chiyotairyu (1-6). After delaying the start in a seemingly calculated move, Goeido came in fast from the jump, delivering a hard slap to Chiyotairyu's face before driving him out.

Takayasu was able to conserve his energy in a relatively easy victory over komusubi Tamawashi (0-7). Tamawashi slammed hard into Takayasu at the jump but couldn't budge the powerfully built ozeki. While driving forward, Takayasu reversed course, pulling Tamawashi off balance before slapping him to the clay.

Georgian-born ozeki Tochinoshin improved to 5-2 with a routine force-out victory over sekiwake Ichinojo (2-5). Ichinojo had the momentum at the jump, but Tochinoshin secured a belt grip before driving his shoulder into the towering Mongolian's chest and driving him out backwards.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-1) recovered from his first loss on Day 6 by outdueling komusubi Takakeisho (2-5) for a thrilling thrust-down victory. The winner of July's Nagoya Grand Tournament absorbed multiple roundhouse slaps to the face as he attacked the small but ultra-aggressive komusubi.

Takakeisho drove Mitakeumi to the edge with a hand to the throat, but the sekiwake slipped to the side and executed the winning maneuver while teetering over the straw.

No. 9 Hokutofuji, who started the day as the only unbeaten rank-and-file wrestler, improved to 7-0 with a force-out victory over No. 11 Sadanoumi (4-3).

[jnight]

Day 8



In the day’s final bout, Hakuho earned his 800th win as a yokozuna by defeating Yutakayama (0-6-2), who returned to the tournament after withdrawing on Day 5 with an ankle injury. Hakuho dazed the No. 2 maegashira with a swift left-handed slap in their second career matchup, then hauled his opponent out of the ring with his favored left-handed belt grab.

Kakuryu dug in low against his 227 kg opponent, sekiwake Ichinojo (2-6), and stepped on the gas at the ropes to edge him out. The Mongolian yokozuna are the only wrestlers with perfect marks at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Kisenosato (6-2) took his second loss after being defeated by komusubi Tamawashi, who earned his first win of the tournament and third kinboshi prize for beating a yokozuna. The Japanese yokozuna, who was upset by No. 2 Chiyotairyu on Friday, got off on the wrong foot and allowed Tamawashi to capitalize for a quick push-out win.

Ozeki Takayasu (7-1) was denied a winning record on Day 8 after suffering his first defeat in an upset loss to No. 3 Shodai (3-5). Shodai stood his ground and got his left hand underneath Takayasu’s armpit, spinning the ozeki down to defeat.

Goeido (7-1) won an ozeki showdown against Tochinoshin (5-3) and earned his seventh straight victory. Goeido stopped the Georgian in his tracks and quickly rammed Tochinoshin over the straw. Tochinoshin is fighting as a demotion-threatened “kadoban” ozeki and needs at least eight wins to maintain his status at the next basho.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-2), looking for an ozeki promotion and a second straight top division title, was handed a second loss by top-ranked maegashira Ikioi (1-7). Ikioi got the better of the initial charge against Mitakeumi, pushing him out to break a seven-day losing streak and pick up his first win in seven career matches against the sekiwake.

Komusubi Takakeisho (3-5) employed his shove-and-move shuffling technique against No. 1 Kaisei (3-5), but had trouble moving the second-heaviest man in the top division. Kaisei’s 207 kg worked against him, though, when Takakeisho thrust him down in an off-balanced moment.

Ninth-ranked maegashira Hokutofuji (7-1) fell against No. 13 Ryuden (7-1) and suffered his first loss of the tournament.

Hokutofuji struggled to find a belt hold against Ryuden and was gradually driven to the edge of the ring. Hokutofuji bounced back but failed to gain momentum against his charging opponent and was pushed out.

Both wrestlers are the only rank-and-filers one win behind the leaders.

In the day’s opening match, top-ranked juryo division veteran Aminishiki (5-3), who turns 40 next month, made a brief reappearance on the top stage in a bout against No. 16 Kotoyuki (3-5). Aminishiki, who was relegated back to the second division after posting a 4-11 record at the May tourney, got a solid two-handed grip on Kotoyuki’s neck and thrust him down to the clay, securing the victory with a rare “tokkurinage” winning technique.

Kyokutaisei (1-3-4), who withdrew on Day 4 after suffering knee injuries, will return to competition Monday. It was the first time the No. 11 maegashira withdrew from a grand tournament since his professional debut in 2008.

[jnight]

Day 9-



Grand champion Kisenosato bounced back from defeat and posted a convincing win over ozeki Tochinoshin. Fellow yokozuna Hakuho and Kakuryu both survived scares and remain undefeated at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

A day after suffering his second defeat of the meet to komusubi Tamawashi (1-8), Kisenosato (7-2) gathered his momentum and drove the Georgian ozeki out of the ring.

The sole Japanese yokozuna, fighting for his career after missing an unprecedented eight meets due to a left chest muscle injury, resisted Tochinoshin's attempt to throw him out and pushed the ozeki over the straw with a right-handed belt grab.

Kisenosato had lost their previous face-off at the July meet last year, but improved his record against Tochinoshin to 17-9. Tochinoshin (5-4) is competing as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki and needs at least three more wins to maintain his status at the next grand tournament.

Hakuho beat sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-3), who won July's grand tournament, in the day's longest bout lasting 1 minute and 19 seconds, while Kakuryu defeated No. 3 maegashira and fan-favorite Endo (1-8).

Ozeki Takayasu and Goeido, as well as No. 13 Ryuden are trailing the two Mongolian yokozuna by a win.

Takayasu, who suffered his first defeat Sunday, stayed in contention for his first makuuchi division championship by beating No. 4 Chiyonokuni (2-7). A big shove from the ozeki made Chiyonokuni lose his footing and topple out of the raised ring.

Goeido, who was promoted to sumo's second-highest rank in 2014, grabbed komusubi Takakeisho (3-6) by the neck and bulldozed him out.

No. 13 Ryuden claimed his fourth winning record since joining the top division in January with a win against No. 7 Shohozan (5-4).

[jnight]

Day 10-



Yokozuna Kisenosato continued his comeback run at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament earning his first winning record since March last year, when he clinched a second-straight top division championship.

Before fellow grand champions Hakuho and Kakuryu closed out Day 10 of the 15-day tournament with their 10th consecutive wins, Kisenosato felt the pressure pile up from three false starts against No. 3 maegashira Endo at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. But when the action finally started, Kisenosato (8-2) wasted little time forcing his opponent from the ring. The 32-year-old yokozuna remains two wins off the lead following a pair of upsets and a string of hard-fought victories.

Endo (1-9), a fan-favorite who has won four "kimboshi" prizes for beating a grand champion, had beaten Kisenosato three times in seven previous matchups but has only posted one win here so far.

In the day's final bout, sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-4) had Kakuryu on the ropes, but yielded position and allowed the yokozuna to steamroll him out of the opposite side of the ring.

Hakuho survived a scare against 227-kilogram sekiwake Ichinojo (3-7) and bested his fellow Mongolian to also remain undefeated.

Among other upper-ranked wrestlers, rival ozeki Goeido and Takayasu battled to stay in contention, with each wrestler coming into their 29th bout together one win off the lead.

Takayasu got a left-handed belt grab on his opponent after blocking a powerful initial charge, but Goeido lost his footing trying to stretch away from Takayasu and was twisted down the clay. Takayasu (9-1) improved to 19-10 against his Japanese counterpart and remains a win shy of the leaders, while Goeido fell to 8-2. Takayasu will challenge Hakuho on Wednesday.

Ozeki Tochinoshin (6-4) used his brute strength to overpower top-ranked maegashira Kaisei (4-6), the second-heaviest man in the division. Both wrestlers locked into their favored belt holds, but the Georgian, fighting with a taped right foot, turned on the afterburners and drove the Brazilian out.

Komusubi duo Takakeisho (4-6) and Tamawashi (2-8) each won their respective bouts against No. 2 Yutakayama (1-7-2) and No. 1 Ikioi (1-9). It was only Tamawashi's second match against a rank-and-file wrestler at the tournament. His only other win came on Day 8 in an upset against Kisenosato.

In the lower ranks, No. 13 Ryuden dropped to 8-2 after being toppled by a desperate push from No. 16 Ishiura (3-7), who is in danger of relegation to the second division. Ryuden had been the only rank-and-filer one win off the pace but is now tied with No. 13 Takanoiwa, who also earned a winning record, along with Kisenosato and Goeido.

[jnight]

Day 11-

Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu suffered his first loss on Wednesday, as yokozuna Hakuho emerged as the sole leader with a perfect 11-0 record at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Yokozuna Kisenosato (8-3), who secured his first winning record in nine meets on Tuesday, also suffered an upset at the hands of sekiwake Ichinojo in the penultimate bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

The 227-kg Ichinojo (4-7) started out by slapping Kisenosato’s face, and gave him a final shove as the yokozuna tried to resist the slaps with his hand to no avail.

Kakuryu, who won back-to-back championships earlier this year, was defeated by Tochinoshin (7-4). The Georgian ozeki grabbed Kakuryu’s belt with both hands, and lifted him over the straw bales in a frontal force out.

Tochinoshin, the winner of the January meet, is competing as a demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki and needs one more win to maintain his No. 2 status at the next grand sumo tournament.

In the day’s final bout, Hakuho posted an easy victory over ozeki Takayasu (9-2) after psyching out his opponent with three match delays. Hakuho slapped Takayasu with his right hand, and charged into him before upending him over the edge.

Hakuho has moved closer to winning his first championship this year, and a record-extending 41st career title in the elite makuuchi division. Takayasu is the only wrestler in sumo’s second-highest rank who has yet to win a top-division championship.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-5), who won the previous championship in July, suffered his fourth straight defeat, losing his bout to top-ranked maegashira Kaisei (5-6).

Brazilian maegashira Kaisei put his arms around the fan-favorite sekiwake, and sent him flying headfirst off the raised ring.

Ozeki Goeido posted an easy win over No. 3 Shodai (5-6) to stay two wins behind Hakuho. Goeido is tied with No. 13 maegashira Takanoiwa and Takayasu at 9-2.

Takanoiwa beat No. 8 Kotoshogiku (6-5). Takanoiwa, who suffered a concussion in an after-hours assault by fellow Mongolian Harumafuji last October, prompting the yokozuna’s retirement, returned to the top division after winning his second juryo division championship in a playoff at the July meet in Nagoya.

[jnight]

Day 12-

Yokozuna Hakuho edged one step closer to his first title of the year and a record-extending 41st career championship after beating Tochinoshin on Thursday, the 12th day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho extended his undefeated run at Ryogoku Kokugikan to 12 straight days, making quick work once again of ozeki Tochinoshin (7-5). The yokozuna slipped his right arm underneath Tochinoshin’s left armpit and coolly threw the powerful Georgian down to the clay. He now has a two-win lead going into Day 13.

Tochinoshin has beaten Hakuho only once in 27 career matchups. After 25 consecutive losses against the yokozuna, the Georgian defeated Hakuho en route to a 13-2 finish at the May tournament, resulting in his promotion to the sport’s second-highest rank.

Fighting as a demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki, Tochinoshin has just three days left to find the one win he needs to avoid demotion and maintain his status at the next tournament.

Yokozuna Kakuryu (10-2) suffered another upset, this time at the hands of Takayasu (10-2). The ozeki got an outside grip on Kakuryu’s belt and swung the yokozuna around and down for his second straight loss.

In the day’s final bout, yokozuna Kisenosato (9-3) bounced back after an 11th-day upset with a hard-fought triumph over Mitakeumi (6-6). Mitakeumi swung Kisenosato around the ring, but the latter kept his equilibrium, wearing out his opponent in the process. Kisenosato eventually gained control over the exhausted sekiwake and muscled him over the straw.

Five straight losses have dashed Mitakeumi’s hopes for a second straight makuuchi division championship and possible ozeki promotion.

Goeido (10-2) defeated No. 4 Abi (6-6) to join Kakuryu and Takayasu as the only wrestlers two wins behind Hakuho. The ozeki struggled to get Abi out of the ring, but capitalized on an opportunity for a slapdown instead.

The two heaviest men in the division, sekiwake Ichinojo (5-7) and top-ranked maegeshira Kaisei (5-7), engaged in a battle of bulk in their attempts to put together a winning record by Day 15. Ichinojo, heavier by 20 kg, secured a solid belt hold and put his lighter Brazilian opponent on the back foot, then stepped to the side to deploy a winning overarm throw.

Takakeisho thrust out No. 3 Shodai (5-7) to even his record at 6-6, while fellow komusubi Tamawashi (3-9) was quickly pulled down by No. 2 Chiyotairyu (4-8).

No. 5 Myogiryu and No. 15 Yoshikaze each earned winning records with Day 12 victories.

No. 13 Takanoiwa (9-3), the only rank-and-filer to start the day two victories off the pace, ended a seven-match winning streak after losing to No. 7 Shohozan (6-6).

[jnight]

Day 13-



Hakuho overpowered fellow grand champion Kisenosato in a yokozuna showdown on Friday and remains undefeated after 13 straight days at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

In their 60th career meeting, Hakuho took control at the outset and muscled Kisenosato (9-4) to the straw. Kisenosato attempted to circle away, but the Mongolian pursued him relentlessly and shoved him out of the other side of the ring. "I was a little nervous because it's been some time since I have beaten him," said Hakuho, who had lost his three previous bouts against Kisenosato.

Hakuho improved to 44-16 against his Japanese counterpart and claimed his 999th makuuchi division victory. He needs one more win at the 15-day tournament to clinch his first top division title of the year and record-extending 41st overall championship.

In the day's final bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, yokozuna Kakuryu (10-3) suffered his third straight loss when he was bulldozed out of contention by ozeki Goeido (11-2). The two wrestlers, along with ozeki Takayasu, had both started the day two wins off the pace.

Goeido employed a quick left-handed slap to the yokozuna and charged him out before Kakuryu had time to recover. The ozeki will face his biggest test on Day 14, when he squares off against Hakuho.

Takayasu (11-2) overwhelmed No. 4 maegashira Abi (6-7) to remain two wins behind Hakuho along with Goeido, while No. 3 Shodai (6-7) outmaneuvered Tochinoshin (7-6) for a much-needed victory. Shodai was put on the back foot by the Georgian but prevented Tochinoshin from securing his favored left-handed belt hold. Seizing an opportunity, the maegashira circled around the ozeki and twisted the him down to the clay.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi (7-6) satisfied his cheering fans with a win against No. 5 Myogiryu (8-5), while sekiwake Ichinojo (6-7) easily dispatched No. 2 Chiyotairyu (4-9).

Before the grand champions locked horns, Takakeisho (7-6) beat Tamawashi (3-10) in a komusubi clash. The 22-year-old Takakeisho, gunning for an eighth win by Sunday, stood the 33-year-old Mongolian up and shoved him out to his 10th loss.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers, No. 12 Nishikigi and No. 15 Chiyoshoma both secured winning records.