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Asashoryu wins Nagoya tourney, loses to Hakuho

Hakuho, above, pushes grand champion Asashoryu out of the ring to win their bout on the final day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo tournament in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP/KYODO NEWS

Hakuho ended fellow Mongolian Asashoryu's winning streak on Sunday, a day after the grand champion clinched the Nagoya Grand Sumo tournament.

Asashoryu, the only grand champion competing in sumo, is still the winner of the tournament at 14-1. It was his 17th career title.

Asashoryu kept a tight grip on Hakuho, lifting him up at one point, but Hakuho resisted and pushed Asashoryu out of the ring before collapsing onto him. The 21-year old Hakuho, the summer tournament winner, rose to 13-2.

The 25-year-old Asashoryu had to sit out the summer tournament after injuring his elbow on the second day.

"I still lack experience. I will train myself hard and want to win all games," he said after losing against Hakuho on Sunday.

"I will beat [Hakuho] in the next tournament," Asashoryu said.

It was widely expected earlier that Hakuho could be considered for promotion to the rank of yokozuna if he secured 13 wins during the tournament.

But public broadcaster NHK said on Sunday after the bouts that a meeting to discuss Hakuho's promotion will not be called as expected, meaning that his promotion would be put on hold.

In other bouts, ozeki Kaio threw ozeki Chiyotaikai down from the left side. Kaio improved to 9-6 while Chiyotaikai fell to 9-6.

Bulgarian Kotooshu kept a grip on fellow ozeki Tochiazuma's belt and forced Tochiazuma to collapse on the ring. Kotooshu rose to 8-7 and Tochiazuma fell to 8-7.

Sekiwake Miyabiyama drove No. 10 maegashira Tamanoshima out from behind after the two resisted slaps from each other. Miyabiyama rose to 10-5, while Tamanoshima fell to 11-4.

No. 3 maegashira Roho rose to 8-5 after quickly slapping down sekiwake Kotomitsuki, who was charging ahead in a low position and fell on his stomach. Kotomitsuki fell to 8-7.

Estonian Baruto thrust down komusubi Kisenosato. The 4th-ranked maegashira improved to 9-6, while Kisenosato fell to 8-7.

No. 2 maegashira Kyokutenho threw Kotoshogiku out of the ring, improving to 6-9. No. 1 maegashira Kotoshogiku fell to 3-12.
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