Grand champion Hakuho overpowered Toyonoshima yesterday to maintain his perfect record and close in on victory at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
The Mongolian wasted little time in getting a grip of Toyonoshima’s belt and driving the komusubi out in the day’s final bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium to improve to 8-0. Toyonoshima dropped to 4-4.
Hakuho is bidding for his seventh Emperor’s Cup and, with main rival and compatriot Asashoryu out injured, is the odds-on favorite at the 15-day tourney.
In other major bouts, Mongolian Ama improved to 7-1 when he got both arms around Kisenosato and waltzed the komusubi out to his sixth loss against a pair of wins.
Ozeki Kotomitsuki also improved to 7-1 when No. 4 maegashira Wakanosato inexplicably lost his footing at the end of the bout.
Wakanosato pushed Kotomitsuki to the edge after the face-off, but suddenly lost his footing and touched the dirt surface with his left knee to fall to 4-4.
Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu forced out No. 3 maegashira Tochinonada to improve to 5-3. Tochinonada dropped to 3-5.
Ozeki Chiyotaikai used his trademark arm thrusts to send Futeno toppling off the straw ridge to pick up his sixth win against a pair of losses. Futeno has just one win and seven losses.
Sekiwake Kotoshogiku forced out Wakanoho to pick up his fourth win against four losses. Maegashira Wakanoho dropped to 0-8 and is ensured of a losing record.
Ozeki Kaio posted a hard-fought win over maegashira Aminishiki to improve to 5-3. Aminishiki pushed Kaio to the edge of the ring several times, before being overpowered to drop to 3-5.
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