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Hakuho survives persistent Georgian, keeps share of lead

Mongolian grand champion Hakuho, top, throws down Tochinoshin to win their bout at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Grand champion Hakuho threw down Tochinoshin yesterday to keep his share of the lead at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Mongolia’s Hakuho survived persistent pushing by the hefty Georgian, grabbed his opponent’s belt and threw him down in the day’s final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Tochinoshin, the No. 4 maegashira, sank to 1-8.

Hakuho, bidding for his ninth emperor’s Cup, is 8-1 and tied for the lead with lower-ranked Miyabiyama, who also won yesterday.

Miyabiyama, a No. 7 maegashira, shoved out Georgian Kokkai.

In other major bouts, Estonian sekiwake Baruto lifted Asasekiryu by the belt and, with his opponent’s legs dangling, dropped him outside the straw ridge. Baruto improved to 7-2 to stay in touch with the leaders.

Sekiwake Ama of Mongolia threw down ozeki Kotooshu. Ama, seeking a promotion to sumo’s second-highest rank of ozeki, improved to 7-2, while the higher-ranked Bulgarian sank to 3-6.

Kisenosato survived scores of hand thrusts to the neck by ozeki Chiyotaikai and shoved him out of the straw ridge, climbing to 7-2. Chiyotaikai fell to 6-3.
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