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Asashoryu remains tied for Spring lead as Hakuho recovers

Mongolian grand champion Hakuho reacts in frustration after losing to Aminishiki in their fourth-day bout in the 1Spring Grand Sumo tournament in Osaka, Japan, on Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP

Grand champion Asashoryu overpowered Toyonoshima yesterday to stay tied for the lead at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Asashoryu spun Toyonoshima around after the faceoff and shoved the No. 3 maegashira off the raised ring to keep his slate clean at 5-0.

Toyonoshima dropped to 0-5.

Lower-ranked wrestlers Hokutoriki, Kokkai and Homasho also won yesterday to stay tied for the lead in the 15-day tourney.

In the day's final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Mongolian grand champion Hakuho bounced back from Wednesday's loss to Aminishiki with a one-sided win over winless No. 2 maegashira Miyabiyama.

Hakuho, who is gunning for his fourth straight Emperor's Cup, used an arm throw to defeat Miyabiyama to improve to 4-1.

In other major bouts, No. 2 maegashira Aminishiki came bursting out of the blocks and overpowered Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu to pick up his third win against a pair of losses.

Kotooshu was completely caught off guard at the faceoff and dropped to 2-3.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai stayed one win off the pace at 4-1 when he used his trademark arm thrusts to send winless komusubi Takekaze off the raised ring.

Ozeki Kaio got both arms around Kotoshogiku and waltzed the sekiwake out to improve to 4-1.

Kotoshogiku fell to 1-4.

Ozeki Kotomitsuki posted his second straight win and improve to 2-3 when No. 3 maegashira Tokitenku lost his balance at the center of the ring to fall to 2-3.

No. 11 maegashira Takamisakari dropped to 4-1 after falling prey to an arm bar throw by No. 8 maegashira Goeido.

Additional reporting by staff writer
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