Ama and Mongolian compatriot Hakuho both won yesterday to ensure the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament will go down to the final day.
Sekiwake Ama used an arm throw at the center of the ring to send ozeki Kotomitsuki sprawling to the dirt surface, improving to 12-2 in the 15-day tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Ama, seeking his first Emperor’s Cup, all but wrapped up promotion to ozeki — sumo’s second-highest rank — with the win.
Grand champion Hakuho, who is bidding for his ninth Emperor’s Cup, shoved ozeki Chiyotaikai (8-5) out in the day’s final bout to keep pace at 12-2.
Hakuho will take on Kotomitsuki today, while Ama faces Baruto. If both wrestlers win, they will face each other in a playoff.
In other major bouts, No. 7 maegashira Miyabiyama improved to 10-4 when he swatted down No. 3 maegashira Kotoshogiku, who fell to 8-6.
Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu moved a step closer to securing a winning record when he shoved out Mongolian Kyokutenho to even his record at 7-7. Kyokutenho, a sixth-ranked maegashira, fell to 9-5.
Estonian sekiwake Baruto got a two-hand grip on the back of Dejima’s belt and hoisted the No. 5 maegashira out to improve to 9-5. Dejima dropped to 6-8 and will finish the Kyushu meet with a losing record.
Toyonoshima, the top maegashira, improved to 9-5 when he waltzed out No. 2 maegashira Wakanosato, who fell to 6-8.
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