Sumo- 2019 Nagoya Basho

[jnight]

Day 1


Yokozuna Hakuho survived a scare against new komusubi Abi to open the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a win and start off strong in his campaign for a record-extending 43rd championship.

On the first day of action at Dolphins Arena, Hakuho was taken by surprise following a spirited offensive from Abi and looked momentarily in danger of an opening-day upset. But the Mongolian yokozuna, who sat out the last tournament to nurse a right arm injury, adjusted fast to spin Abi around and down, exacting revenge for a loss to the komusubi last year in May, the only other time the wrestlers had fought.

His yokozuna counterpart Kakuryu also secured a Day 1 victory, apparently unfazed by an injury sustained during practice Monday as he easily dispatched komusubi Ryuden.

Among the ozeki, Takayasu put No. 1 maegashira Hokutofuji on the ropes from the outset and was able to drive him out, while Goeido and Tochinoshin each opened with a loss at the 15-day tourney in Nagoya.

Goeido nearly recovered from an attack by No. 1 Asanoyama, but the 25-year-old maegashira, fresh off winning his maiden championship in May, kept the ozeki off balance to stay on top. Asanoyama faces Hakuho on Day 2.

Tochinoshin was defeated by No. 2 Endo in his first bout since regaining ozeki status. While the Georgian put his strength into a shoulder charge, Endo went for a right-handed belt hold and pulled his opponent down to claim a third straight win over Tochinoshin.

Both sekiwake suffered opening day losses. No. 2 Aoiyama claimed a quick slap-down win over Mitakeumi, while No. 3 Shodai stood his ground against a strong charge from Tamawashi and a powerful left-handed slap sent the Mongolian down to the clay.

In his makuuchi debut, No. 10 Takagenji was driven to the edge by No. 11 Nishikigi, but recovered for a push-out to record his first win in the top division.

Earlier on Sunday, the Japan Sumo Association revealed that Takakeisho — who was injured in his ozeki debut in May and failed to secure a winning record — will require five weeks of medical treatment for a right knee injury, ensuring his absence from the tournament and the loss of his status. The 22-year-old can earn a promotion back to sumo’s second highest rank if he wins 10 or more bouts at the rank of sekiwake at September’s Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.

[jnight]

Day 2-


Yokozuna Hakuho and Kakuryu led the charge at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after each claiming second straight wins on Monday, while the mixed results continued for the rest of the sport’s elite.

Hakuho prevailed in his first top-division match-up with May’s champion, No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama (1-1), fighting back from the edge of the straw at Dolphins Arena and holding out to employ a fatal overarm throw.

Kakuryu (2-0) showed off some fancy footwork to stay alive against No. 1 Hokutofuji (0-2). The yokozuna was pulled into danger by the top-ranked maegashira but executed a lightning spin to turn the tables on Hokutofuji and slap him down.

Goeido improved to 1-1 with an easy victory over new komusubi Abi, who has yet to record a win in his first tournament as a sanyaku wrestler in the three ranks below yokozuna. The ozeki immediately shifted to the left and used Abi’s belt to help the unbalanced young gun meet the clay.

Ryuden (1-1) got his first win as a new komusubi following a tenacious rematch with ozeki Takayasu (1-1).

In their first bout, the two wrestlers swung each other around the ring into a stalemate. After a brief respite, Ryuden took the ozeki over the edge while falling off the dohyo himself, resulting in the ringside judges ordering a rematch. The second bout went much the same way, with Ryuden getting Takayasu to hit the clay first and come out on top in the test of endurance.

Returning ozeki Tochinoshin took his second loss after a bout with No. 3 Shodai (2-0). The Georgian was simply outmuscled by Shodai despite locking into his favored migi-yotsu right-underarm, left-overarm hold.

Mitakeumi (1-1) claimed his first win of the tournament and pulled ahead in a nine-bout top-division rivalry with No. 2 Endo (1-1). The returning sekiwake launched Endo back with a powerful initial shove and drove the maegashira out with some well-executed thrusts.

Sekiwake Tamawashi remains winless after falling to Bulgarian No. 2 Aoiyama (2-0). After a lackluster initial clash, the Mongolian miscalculated a shoving maneuver as Aoiyama stepped aside to reap the reward.

[jnight]

Day 3-



Grand champions Kakuryu and Hakuho each earned their third straight wins of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament to maintain their share of the lead.

In the final bout of Day 3 of 15 at Dolphins Arena, Kakuryu easily dispatched top-ranked maegashira Asanoyama (1-2) in their first meeting in the top division. The Mongolian grand champion wrapped up Asanoyama by his arm and expertly swung May's champion down to the clay.

Hakuho survived an aggressive attack from No. 1 Hokutofuji (0-3) to stay on track in his pursuit of a record-extending 43rd top-division title. Hokutofuji had chased the yokozuna around the ring while denying a belt hold, aiming for a sixth kimboshi prize for downing a grand champion. But Hakuho delivered a few desperate slaps, locked chest-to-chest with his opponent, and twisted Hokutofuji down before adding insult to injury by flattening the maegashira face-down into the sand with his 158-kilogram frame.

In other matches, Goeido (2-1) made quick work of No. 2 Aoiyama (2-1), whose attempt to pull down the ozeki failed as Goeido remained upright long enough to push out the big Bulgarian. Aoiyama, who defeated both sekiwake here, has only beaten Goeido three times in 25 match-ups.

Takayasu (2-1) was forced into a rematch for the second straight day after falling out of the ring while delivering a fatal push in his first encounter with No. 2 Endo (1-2). The ozeki took no chances in the second bout, thrusting Endo down as the maegashira went for an inside hold on Takayasu's belt.

Returning ozeki Tochinoshin fell to his third straight loss at the hands of new komusubi Ryuden (2-1). The pair locked up with neither getting a good hold, and Ryuden took the Georgian by surprise by spinning him down to the clay by his belt.

The two sekiwake wrestlers squared off on Day 3, with Mitakeumi (2-1) earning his 10th straight victory in a rivalry with Tamawashi (0-3). Mitakeumi repelled the Mongolian's initial charge and quickly bulldozed Tamawashi out of the ring.

Abi (1-2) earned his first win as a komusubi after thrusting out No. 3 Shodai (2-1). The sanyaku newcomer blasted Shodai with a double-armed attack to the neck and determinedly drove the maegashira over the straw.

Five lower-ranked wrestlers remain undefeated after three days of action in Nagoya, including Kotoshogiku, Tomokaze, makuuchi debutant Takagenji, Enho and Terutsuyoshi.

[jnight]

Day 4-



Yokozuna Hakuho and Kakuryu maintained their share of the lead by staying unbeaten at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. The two Mongolians improved to 4-0 with victories over komusubi opponents on the fourth day of the 15-day tournament at Dolphins Arena.

In the closing bout, all-time championship record-holder Hakuho won his first career meeting with newly promoted Ryuden (2-2). The yokozuna immediately put his opponent in a defensive position, taking a right-hand outside grip that he used to maneuver the komusubi to the edge of the ring before forcing him out.

Kakuryu was able to conserve his energy with a relatively easy thrust-out victory over Abi (1-3). Abi tried to capitalize on his longer reach with a thrusting attack, but he was unable to budge the yokozuna, who set his feet before quickly driving the younger wrestler back over the straw.

Takayasu was the only ozeki winner on Day 4, improving to 3-1 with an impressive victory over No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama (1-3). In one of the day’s most entertaining bouts, Takayasu countered an attempted force out before toppling the Summer Grand Tournament winner with a perfectly executed underarm throw.

Ozeki Goeido dropped to 2-2 after getting slapped down by No. 1 Hokutofuji. Following two false starts, Hokutofuji hit Goeido hard at the jump, denying him a belt grip. Pushed to the edge, Goeido managed to fight his way back, but Hokutofuji pulled him off balance before knocking him to the clay.

Ozeki Tochinoshin remained winless following a push-out loss to No. 3 Daieisho (2-2). The big Georgian, who regained ozeki status following his 10 wins in the previous grand tournament, met Daeisho in a hard opening clash, but the maegashira yanked him off balance before pushing him out.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi improved to 3-1 by quickly pushing out No.3 Shodai (2-2). The champion here last year, Mitakeumi was the aggressor from the outset, shoving and ramming Shodai over the edge. The win gave him an 8-7 record in their career head-to-head clashes.

Sekiwake Tamawashi (0-4) continued his forgettable start with a loss to No. 2 Endo (2-2). The Mongolian, promoted following a 10-5 record in May, had the early upper hand before succumbing to a frontal force out.

Among lower-ranked wrestlers, No. 16 Terutsuyoshi stayed unbeaten after handing popular up-and-comer Enho (3-1) his first loss. No. 7 Tomokaze remained perfect, while No. 10 Kotoshogiku and No. 10 maegashira Takagenji, a makuuchi-division debutant, suffered their first defeats.

[jnight]

Day 5-


The two Mongolians competing at the sport's highest rank are tied at 5-0 with No. 7 maegashira Tomokaze and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi following five days of the meet at Dolphins Arena.

Kakuryu, who is aiming for his sixth championship, fended off an aggressive attack from No. 2 Aoiyama (3-2) in the final bout of the day. The yokozuna resisted Aoiyama's slaps to the face, and charged the 193-kilogram Bulgarian toward the edge before pulling him down.

Hakuho demonstrated his strength and confidence by quickly dispatching fan-favorite maegashira Endo (2-3). Following the initial charge, the yokozuna threw the No. 2 Endo to the ground in 2.6 seconds after the maegashira missed his chance to grab the yokozuna's belt.

The three ozeki, competing at the sport's second-highest rank, had mixed fates.

Tochinoshin, who hurt his left shoulder ahead of the current 15-day tournament, once again failed to post his first win. The ozeki was unable to resist No. 1 Asanoyama (2-3), who grabbed Tochinoshin's belt with his left hand and bulldozed him out.

Goeido (3-2) claimed a hard-fought win over komusubi Ryuden (2-3). Both wrestlers struggled to find a belt grip, but the ozeki gained a right-handed over-arm hold before slapping Ryuden down. Takayasu (4-1) remains one win behind the leaders after beating newly promoted komusubi Abi (1-4).

Sekiwake Tamawashi and Mitakeumi suffered upsets to maegashira wrestlers. Tamawashi (0-5), who won his maiden championship with a 13-2 record in January, is still without a win following a loss to No. 3 Daieisho (3-2). No. 1 Hokutofuji (2-3) showed off some quick footwork as he battled back from the edge before slapping down Mitakeumi (3-2), the winner of last year's Nagoya meet.

Terutsuyoshi, competing in his third meet in the makuuchi top division, defeated No. 15 Yago (2-3). Tomokaze beat No. 7 Myogiryu (3-2) to stay unbeaten at this meet. Myogiryu seemed to have the advantage with a "migi-yotsu" right-underarm grip, but Tomokaze managed to throw his opponent down to the clay.

[jnight]

Day 6-



The two yokozuna are in a two-way tie for the lead at Dolphins Arena after the last two undefeated maegashira were beaten on Day 6 of the 15-day meet.

Hakuho continued his domination of No. 2 maegashira Aoiyama in the final bout of the day, improving to 20 wins and one loss by forfeit in their head-to-head matchups.

The all-time championship record-holder slapped down Aoiyama (3-3) after a spirited effort by the Bulgarian. Determined to keep Hakuho away from his belt, Aoiyama tried to turn the match into a slap fight, but he was sent tumbling from the ring as he charged the yokozuna.

Kakuryu kept his pursuit of a sixth top-level title on track by toppling No. 2 Endo (2-4). The maegashira fended off a belt grip by Kakuryu and drove him backward, but the yokozuna reacted quickly, shifting to the side and executing the slap down.

Ozeki Takayasu (5-1) stayed in contention for a maiden title following a closely fought victory over No. 3 Daieisho (3-3). Despite pummeling Daieisho with a flurry of blows, the powerfully built ozeki was forced to backpedal before he slapped down his opponent at the edge of the ring.

Ozeki Goeido (3-3) dropped further off the pace after being forced out by No. 3 Shodai (4-2). The underdog was the aggressor from the start, driving Goeido to the edge. He blocked an attempted throw to clinch his first win against the ozeki in their past six meetings.

Struggling sekiwake Tamawashi (1-5) grabbed his first win of the basho against No. 1 Asanoyama (2-4). The Mongolian blocked an inside grip attempt before quickly pushing out the Summer Grand Tournament champion.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi improved to 4-2 by pushing out komusubi Ryuden (2-4). The Dewanoumi stable grappler, who claimed the title here last year, jumped quickly out of the blocks for his first win against Ryuden in three attempts.

After starting the day unbeaten, No. 7 Tomokaze and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi relinquished their share of the lead following losses to No. 5 Takarafuji (2-4) and No. 13 Sadanoumi (4-2), respectively.

[jnight]

Day 7-



Hakuho comfortably accounted for No. 3 maegashira Daieisho, while fellow Mongolian Kakuryu improved to 12-0 in his career against No. 3 Shodai.

In the final bout on Day 7 at Dolphins Arena, Shodai (4-3) gifted Kakuryu a belt grip after trying to battle him head on from the jump. The yokozuna drove him straight back over the straw for an easy force-out.

Daieisho (3-4) opened with a hard charge against Hakuho, but the all-time championship record-holder used his superior speed and strength to keep the maegashira at arm’s length before slamming him to the clay.

Ozeki Takayasu (6-1) kept a first makuuchi title in his sights with a gritty win against bogeyman opponent Aoiyama (3-4). The ozeki stayed composed as he resisted a force-out before pushing out the Bulgarian No. 2, who has won 11 of their 19 meetings.

Ozeki Goeido dropped to 3-4 with a disappointing loss to No. 2 Endo (3-4). The maegashira came in low and hard from the jump, giving Goeido little chance to avoid behing shoved out.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi improved to 5-2 by pushing out No. 1 Asanoyama (2-5). After a heavy collision, the two exchanged blows in the middle, but it was the sekiwake who fought with greater ferocity for a solid victory over the Summer Basho winner.

Mongolian sekiwake Tamawashi saw his hopes of a winning record at the 15-day meet slip further away following a loss to komusubi Ryuden. Tamawashi (1-6) started strongly, slamming Ryuden (3-4) toward the outside, but the komusubi slipped behind him with a well-timed sidestep before winning by pushout.

[jnight]

Day 8-



Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho and Kakuryu each clinched a winning record and remained the only undefeated wrestlers at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho dodged a bullet against No. 3 maegashira Shodai (4-4) in the final bout on Day 8 of the 15-day meet at Dolphins Arena to remain on track for a record-extending 43rd top-division championship. Shodai sidestepped Hakuho’s heavy charge and tried to yank him down by the arms, but Hakuho stayed on his feet to rally and pull the maegashira down to the clay.

Kakuryu, seeking a sixth makuuchi-division championship, had an easier time against No. 3 Daieisho (3-5). The yokozuna brushed aside a stiff-arm to the neck from the maegashira and effortlessly slapped him down.

Takayasu, the last ozeki competing in the tournament, pulled ahead in a 25-bout rivalry with struggling sekiwake Tamawashi (1-7) to remain the only wrestler one win off the pace. After fending off some hard shoves and slaps from his vigilant opponent, Takayasu held his ground and was able to bring Tamawashi down. The win may have come at a cost, however, as immediately afterward he seemed concerned about his left forearm.

Mitakeumi got the better of No. 4 Ichinojo (5-3) and improved to 6-2 to stay within reach of the Emperor’s Cup. The sekiwake maneuvered into a solid hold under Ichinojo’s armpits, set him upright and bulldozed the 227-kg Mongolian out of the ring.

The two new komusubi fought it out, with Abi (3-5) taking advantage of a misstep from Ryuden (3-5). Ryuden put Abi on the defensive with a strong initial charge, but Abi backed away to the side while pulling on Ryuden’s arm to get his opponent off balance and send him over the straw.

Three rank-and-file wrestlers also boast 6-2 records after eight days of action: No. 7 Tomokaze, No. 7 Myogiryu and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi.

[jnight]

Day 9-



Hakuho suffered his first loss of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday, as fellow grand champion Kakuryu kept his spotless record to take the sole lead.

In the penultimate match of Day 9 at Dolphins Arena, No. 4 maegashira Ichinojo (6-3) directed the action in his bout against fellow Mongolian Hakuho (8-1), who had been on a 23-bout win streak.

The heaviest man in the top division, Ichinojo took a belt grip and kept Hakuho upright while forcing him back, using his 69-kilogram weight advantage to drive the yokozuna over the straw. For defeating a yokozuna as a rank-and-file wrestler, Ichinojo earned his first kimboshi prize against Hakuho and eighth overall. The maegashira will be looking to add another when he faces Kakuryu on Day 10.

Following Hakuho's loss, Kakuryu recorded his ninth straight win of the meet, beating No. 4 Meisei (2-7) in their first top-division meeting. The wrestlers locked up trying to throw each other down by the belt before Kakuryu forced Meisei out of the ring. With the setback to his fellow yokozuna, Kakuryu is in a prime position to win his sixth makuuchi division championship.

No. 3 Shodai (5-4) supplied the first upset of the day after taking down Takayasu (7-2), the last ozeki remaining in the tournament following the injury withdrawals of Takakeisho, Tochinoshin and Goeido. Takayasu, fighting with a heavily-wrapped left arm following an injury scare in Sunday's bout with Tamawashi, drove Shodai to the straw, but he was eventually tossed aside while showing signs of severely limited mobility.

New komusubi Abi (4-5) defeated Mitakeumi (6-3) for the first time in four top-division match-ups. Abi shifted to avoid Mitakeumi's initial charge, grabbing the sekiwake's belt and pulling him down by the neck.

Both top-ranked maegashira recorded wins on Day 9, with returning sekiwake Tamawashi facing another demotion after falling to 1-8 with a loss to No. 1 Hokutofuji (6-3). Hokutofuji, who celebrated his sixth straight win Monday on his 27th birthday, simply stepped to the side as Tamawashi flung himself off the dohyo.

No. 1 Asanoyama (4-5) earned his second straight win against Ryuden (3-6). Asanoyama struggled to get a grip on Ryuden's belt, but was able to keep the new komusubi on the ropes for a push-out victory.

The three rank-and-file wrestlers who started the day two wins off the pace -- No. 7 Tomokaze, No. 7 Myogiryu and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi -- all picked up victories on Day 9 to stay in contention for the Emperor's Cup.

[jnight]

Day 10-



Grand champion Kakuryu survived a slight scare to claim his 10th straight win, while Hakuho bounced back from his first loss to stay a win behind his fellow yokozuna.

Kakuryu dodged a bullet against No. 4 maegashira Ichinojo (6-4), who the previous day had earned an eighth kinboshi prize for defeating Hakuho and breaking his run of 23 straight wins.

Ichinojo turned Kakuryu around at the edge of the ring and looked primed to shove his fellow Mongolian out, but Kakuryu used the momentum to swing Ichinojo back towards danger and drive him out sideways. Kakuryu will take on former ozeki Kotoshogiku (5-5) on Day 11 in his attempt to win a sixth top-division championship.

In the final bout of Day 10, Hakuho (9-1) needed just two slaps to vanquish Tamawashi (1-9) -- one to the sekiwake's face to knock him off balance and one to the shoulder to send him flying off the dohyo.

Hakuho next faces ozeki Takayasu (8-2), who rebounded from his second loss of the tournament with a win over No. 4 Meisei (2-8) in their first career match-up. Fighting with an ominously wrapped left arm, the last ozeki standing at Dolphins Arena quickly turned the tables on Meisei and pushed him over the straw while apparently avoiding further injury.

No. 3 Daieisho (5-5) rallied to beat Mitakeumi (6-4) and record his first victory over the sekiwake in six attempts. Mitakeumi went for a couple of pull-downs while keeping Daieisho on the ropes, but the maegashira revved his engine and sent the sekiwake out with a flurry of thrusts.

Hokutofuji (7-3) held out against komusubi Ryuden (3-7) to even their top-division rivalry at three bouts apiece. Ryuden rallied against Hokutofuji's initial charge but could not find the right-handed grip he was searching for, allowing the No. 1 maegashira to drive him out.

Abi (5-5) took down May's champion, No. 1 Asanoyama (4-6), to claim his third straight win. The komusubi delivered two quick thrusts, pivoted and pulled down Asanoyama's arms as the maegashira doubled down on an ill-fated charge. The wrestlers are also tied at 3-3 across six match-ups.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers, No. 7 Tomokaze, No. 7 Myogiryu and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi all improved to 8-2 and remain two wins off the pace. Terutsuyoshi recorded his first winning record in the top flight, while Tomokaze secured his third straight winning record since making his makuuchi debut in March.

[jnight]

Day 11-



The 33-year-old Kakuryu, who is gunning for his sixth top-division championship, thrust down No. 5 maegashira Kotoshogiku (5-6) to hang on to his perfect record at the 15-day meet at Dolphins Arena.

The Mongolian grand champion stood firm despite allowing Kotoshogiku to open the final match of the day with a belt hold. Kakuryu pushed the maegashira toward the edge before toppling him to finish the bout in 11.5 seconds. It was Kakuryu's 30th win over Kotoshogiku in 52 bouts. The Mongolian yokozuna will face No. 6 maegashira Chiyotairyu (6-5) on Thursday. Kakuryu has a perfect 11-0 record against the former komusubi.

Yokozuna Hakuho is alone in second place, trailing Kakuryu by one win, with No. 7 Tomokaze and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi sitting behind with nine wins and two losses.

Hakuho, who is aiming for a record-extending 43rd championship, improved to 10-1 after his scheduled opponent, ozeki Takayasu, pulled out due to a left-elbow injury sustained earlier in the tournament. Hakuho will fight popular sekiwake Mitakeumi (7-4) on Thursday.

Among the "sanyaku" wrestlers, Mitakeumi was able to prevail on the 11th day of the meet. In their first matchup, Mitakeumi survived a scare against No. 4 Meisei (2-9). They stood locked in a lengthy stalemate at the edge before Mitakeumi swung the 150-kilogram Meisei out of the ring.

Sekiwake Tamawashi (1-10) was again unable to show off the technique and power that enabled him to win his maiden championship in January, losing to Ichinojo. Komusubi Ryuden (3-8) lost to fan-favorite No. 2 Endo (6-5).

Abi (5-6), who is making his sanyaku debut as komusubi, looked in control of his match against No. 2 Aoiyama (5-6) before being pushed out of the ring by the Bulgarian.

No. 16 Terutsuyoshi improved to 9-2 after beating No. 11 Nishikigi (3-8). Following a pair of false starts, Terutsuyoshi lifted Nishikigi by the armpits before driving him out.

No. 7 Tomokaze (9-2) quickly slapped down No. 16 Kotoyuki (7-4) in the pair's first face-off to remain two wins behind Kakuryu.

No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama defeated his top-ranked counterpart Hokutofuji (7-4) to improve to 5-6. Asanoyama, the winner of the May meet, resisted Hokutofuji's neck hold before driving him out.

[jnight]

Day 12-



Five-time champion Kakuryu improved to a perfect 12-0 with a victory over No. 6 maegashira Chiyotairyu (6-6) on Day 12 at Dolphins Arena.

Unbeaten in their 11 previous meetings, Kakuryu continued his dominance over Chiyotairyu with a cleverly executed rear foot sweep. Taking a strong outside grip at the jump, Kakuryu swung the maegashira around before dropping him to the clay with a foot to the back of his heel.

Fellow yokozuna Hakuho (11-1) outmaneuvered sekiwake Mitakeumi (7-5) in the day’s engaging final bout.

Following a restart, the pair clasped in the middle of the ring, each with a belt hold. Hakuho countered a force-out attempt before the pair locked up in another stalemate. With both men standing almost upright, it was the all-time championship record-holder who seized an opening, dropping his hips and driving Mitakeumi over the edge.

Struggling sekiwake Tamawashi improved to 2-10 after driving out No. 4 Meisei (2-10). The Mongolian had the momentum from the start, quickly removing his younger opponent with a series of powerful thrusts.

Komusubi Abi (5-7) is one defeat away from a losing record after slipping to the clay in his match with No. 2 Endo (7-5). The Shikoroyama stable grappler lost his footing while exchanging slaps and thrusts with the former komusubi.

Komusubi Ryuden (3-9) continued to find the going tough in the sanyaku ranks, the three below yokozuna, suffering a thrust- out defeat to No. 2 Aoiyama (6-6).

Among the rank and file, No. 16 Terutsuyoshi (10-2) kept his place on the leaderboard by pushing out No. 7 Myogiryu (8-4).

Three wrestlers — No. 4 Ichinojo, No. 10 Kotoeko and No. 16 Kotoyuki — ensured winning records by improving to 8-4.

The biggest man in the division, former sekiwake Ichinojo used his 227-kg bulk to wrap up No. 7 Tomokaze (9-3) and force him over the straw.

Kotoeko knocked back No. 13 Sadanoumi (7-5) with a two-arm thrust before slapping him down.

Kotoyuki notched a winning return to the top division after pushing out No. 12 Kagayaki (6-6).

[jnight]

Day 13-



Kakuryu fell into a tie with his yokozuna counterpart Hakuho at 12-1 with two days remaining at the 15-day meet at Dolphins Arena. No. 16 maegashira Terutsuyoshi is one win behind the leaders and the only other wrestler with a chance to seize the championship.

Following the initial clash, Tomokaze (10-3) stepped backward, held Kakuryu's head with his right hand before slapping down the yokozuna, who tried to grab the maegashira's belt on the charge but missed.

Hakuho easily defeated No. 7 Myogiryu (8-5), to whom he has only lost once in 20 bouts. Hakuho locked his arms around Myogiryu's neck. The maegashira tried to resist, but the yokozuna pulled him forward before rolling him down to the clay.

Although all four ozeki wrestlers have withdrawn in Nagoya, the remainder of the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna all won on Friday.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi, last year's Nagoya champion, secured a winning record with his eighth win. The 26-year-old fan favorite beat No. 5 Kotoshogiku (6-7) in a quick bout.

Tamawashi (3-10) threw No. 5 Takarafuji (5-8) to pick up his second straight win in Nagoya. The struggling sekiwake had only one win over the first 11 days, and snapped his five-bout losing streak on Thursday.

Newly-promoted komusubi Abi (6-7) and Ryuden (4-9) both prevailed. Abi beat No. 3 Daieisho (7-6) by slapping his chest and face, and gave him a final push at the edge of the dohyo. Ryuden defeated No. 3 Shodai (6-7) for the first time in four attempts.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers, No. 16 Terutsuyoshi (11-2) continued to ride his momentum, overcoming a 44-kilogram disadvantage to defeat No. 8 Onosho (6-7). Onosho tried to quickly finish off Terutsuyoshi by pushing him toward the edge. But the youngster held firm and bulldozed the former komusubi out for his fifth-straight victory in Nagoya.

No. 2 Endo (8-5) and No. 1 Hokutofuji (8-5) both secured winning records on Day 13. Hokutofuji survived a scare in his bout against the biggest man in the division, No. 4 Ichinojo (8-5).

Endo needed just 1.6 seconds to beat No. 6 Shimanoumi (7-6) to the delight of the crowd. He wrapped his arms around Shimanoumi right after the initial clash and forced him out. The victory was Endo's fifth straight, and his winning record is his first since January.

[jnight]

Day 14-



Grand champion Kakuryu reclaimed the sole lead at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament as Hakuho suffered a shock loss to former ozeki Kotoshogiku with one day remaining at the 15-day tournament.

In the day's final bout, Mongolian Hakuho was forced out of the ring by No. 5 Kotoshogiku (7-7). It was Kotoshogiku's seventh win over Hakuho in 63 bouts.

While the two wrestlers held each other's belts with one hand, Kotoshogiku denied the yokozuna a second hold with his right hand. The yokozuna seemed preoccupied with gaining that grip, and tried a tactical retreat to improve his situation. But Kotoshogiku maintained the pressure, and Hakuho, a 42-time champion, ran out of room and was forced over the straw bales.

Kakuryu, gunning for his sixth championship, bounced back from his shock loss the previous day. He demonstrated his strength and confidence against sekiwake Mitakeumi (8-6).

The grand champion seized the initiative off the initial charge. Mitakeumi kept Kakuryu at bay with a left-hand to the yokozuna's throat, the grand champion pressed forward again, seizing the sekiwake's belt with both hands. Kakuryu then stood his opponent up and forced him backward, sealing the bout in 5.1 seconds.

In the first career bout between Terutsuyoshi and Hokutofuji (9-5), the top-ranked maegashira twisted his opponent down to the ring just after the initial clash. Terutsuyoshi could do little as his opponent locked his arm around his neck and drove him face down to the clay.

The komusubi pair had mixed fates. Abi (7-7) beat No. 4 Ichinojo (8-6) for the first time in four career bouts, while Ryuden (4-10) lost to No.3 Daieisho (8-6).

Among the rank-and-filers, No. 14 Enho (8-6), the division's lightweight at 99 kg, snapped his three-bout losing streak and secured his first winning record in the elite makuuchi division.

He beat No. 7 Myogiryu (8-6) in a hard-fought win in front of a crowd cheering his name. Following a pair of false starts, Enho chased the former sekiwake around the ring without being able to get a hold of the veteran's mawashi. After seizing a belt hold with both hands, the 24-year-old forced the 155-kilogram Myogiryu out backwards.

[jnight]

Day 15-