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Grand Champion claims victory at Emperor's Cup

Grand champion Hakuho of Mongolian won the Emperor's Cup at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament yesterday despite being upset by Kotomitsuki.

Hakuho won his fifth Emperor's Cup when Chiyotaikai, the only wrestler with a chance of catching Hakuho on the final day of competition, pulled out earlier yesterday after injuring his right elbow in Saturday's bout with Hakuho.

In the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, ozeki Kotomitsuki managed to overpower Hakuho to finish with a 10-5 record.

Hakuho dropped to 12-3 but it didn't matter as he had already wrapped up the title.

The 22-year-old Mongolian defeated Chiyotaikai on the last day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in September to win his first title at sumo's highest rank.

As in the Autumn tournament, Hakuho lost on the first day of the Kyushu meet but recovered to win the title.

Fukuoka native Kaio also benefited from the Chiyotaikai's absence, improving to 9-6 with a default win over the injured ozeki, who finished with an 11-4 record.

In other bouts, komusubi Ama of Mongolia got a grip on the belt of Wakanosato and waltzed out the No. 8 maegashira to finish with a 10-5 record. Wakanosato went out with an 8-7 record.

Estonian Baruto, a No. 16 maegashira, completed his impressive showing with a solid win over Tochinonada to improve to 11-4.

In an all-sekiwake showdown, Aminishiki dispatched Asasekiryu to secure a winning record of 8-7.
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