Mongolian grand champion Hakuho secured an unassailable lead yesterday in the summer sumo tournament, denying a rival Bulgarian vying to be the first European to take the top rank.
Hakuho, 23, enjoyed a clean sweep of victories and no losses on the 13th day of the 15-day tournament in the central city of Nagoya, ensuring he will win his seventh career title.
FORCE-OUT TECHNIQUE
The 192cm, 156km Mongolian drove veteran Japanese wrestler Kaio out of the ring using the frontal force-out technique.
The tournament was a disappointment for Kotooshu, a Bulgarian who had hoped for a strong showing to elevate him to the top rank of yokozuna or grand champion.
Kotooshu, real name Kaloyan Mahlyanov, put on a mediocre performance, losing four times during the tournament.
The Bulgarian stormed through the last tournament in May, becoming the first European to claim a tournament trophy.
Only two wrestlers hold the title of yokozuna — Hakuho and fellow Mongolian Asashoryu.
INJURIES
Asashoryu, the fifth-ranked wrestler in modern sumo history, pulled out of the Nagoya tournament after a weak start, citing injuries. Asashoryu is said to need at least three weeks of treatment for a damaged elbow.
Hakuho has enjoyed a warmer reception in Japan than his compatriot Asashoryu, who has struggled to win over a sumo establishment that has accused him of being too abrasive for the ritual-heavy sport.
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
A baseball team from New Taipei City won the US Pony Palomino Division World Series yesterday in Laredo, Texas, defeating the US West representative team from Azusa, California, 2-1. Ku-Pao Home Economics and Commercial High School earned the right to represent Taiwan in the Pony Palomino (17 to 18 age group) World Series after winning this year's Wang Chen-chih Cup, a competition named after Taiwanese-Japanese baseball legend Wang Chen-chih (王貞治), also known as Sadaharu Oh. In the championship game against Azusa, Ku-Pao's starting pitcher Luo Yu-yan (羅于晏) was erratic early, giving up two hits in the bottom of the first inning, followed
NEXT ROUND: World No. 1s Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka opened their title defenses with straight-sets wins, while Iga Swiatek and Taylor Fritz also advanced Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka got their title defenses off to smooth starts as they powered into the third round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Saturday. The men’s and women’s top seeds, each ranked No. 1 in the world, were both competing for the first time since Wimbledon, where Sinner lifted the title and Sabalenka bowed out in the women’s semi-finals. Sinner crushed Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 6-1, 6-1 in steamy afternoon weather, while Sabalenka beat 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 6-1 under the lights of the night session. Sabalenka needed 54 minutes and a service break in the final game
RSS