Newly promoted grand champion Hakuho of Mongolia rallied to a solid win over lower-ranked Wakanosato yesterday and remained unbeaten on the third day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
In the day's penultimate bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Hakuho easily beat Wakanosato by throwing him him onto the dirt surface. The yokozuka improved to 3-0, while Wakanosato remains winless.
The 22-year-old Hakuho was promoted to grand champion in May, becoming the fourth non-Japanese to reach sumo's highest rank. Hakuho earned promotion after winning both the spring and summer tournaments this year and is off to a strong start in his debut at the sport's highest rank.
In other major bouts, grand champion Asashoryu improved to 2-1 when he muscled second maegashira Dejima out of the ring without giving him a chance to put up any resistance. Dejima fell to 1-2.
Asashoryu is gunning for his 21st Emperor's Cup.
Bulgarian wrestler Kotooshu flung third-ranked maegashira Takekaze down with a right-hand grip to pick up his second win against one loss. Takekaze is winless.
Russian Roho upset ozeki Chiyotaikai in a rematch to improve to 3-0, while handing the ozeki his first loss against two wins. In the initial bout, ringside judges ruled that both Roho and Chiyotaikai simultaneously fell.
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