Newly promoted ozeki Hakuho was upset by sekiwake Miyabiyama yesterday and stayed one win off the lead at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
In the day's final bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Hakuho quickly got hold of Miyabiyama's belt with his left hand grip and tried to throw him out near the ring's edge.
But Miyabiyama's feet remained at the very edge of the straw ridge before Hakuno fell onto the dirt. After the bout, ringside judges discussed only to confirm the Miyabiyama's win.
PHOTO: AP/KYODO NEWS
Miyabiyama improved to 5-0 to stay tied for the lead with ozeki Chiyotaikai.
Hakuho, who was promoted to the sport's second-highest rank in March, dropped to 4-1. After yesterday's meet, five other rank-and-filers also stand at 4-1.
Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu pulled out of the 15-day meet on Tuesday after injuring his right elbow in Monday's bout with Wakanosato.
In other major bouts, komusubi Ama upset ozeki Tochiazuma to chalk up his first win of the tourney when he secured his opponent by the belt to force him out. The Tokyo native Tochiazuma fell to 2-3.
Bulgarian Kotooshu fended off a pulling attempt by Takekaze soon after the faceoff and took control by quickly yanking his opponent onto to the dirt to improve to 3-2. Fourth-ranked maegashira Takekaze remains winless.
Meanwhile, ozeki Chiyotaikai overpowered Mongolian Tokitenku with his rapid-fire arm thrusts to send the fourth-ranked maegashira off the ring for a 5-0 record. Tokitenku of Mongolia fell to 1-4.
Ozeki Kaio was initially forced back by Kotoshogiku after the faceoff, but stood firm near the edge of the raised ring before bulldozing the No. 3 maegashira out. Kaio picked up his third win against two losses, while Kotoshogiku fell to 2-3.
Earlier, Estonian Baruto improved to 3-2 when he spun Katayama around before shoving him out, handing the No. 14 maegashira his third loss against two wins.
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