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Hakuho wins championship at Kyushu

Mongolian-born grand champion Hakuho, top, throws Ama in their play-off match during the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Grand champion Hakuho defeated Mongolian compatriot Ama in a deciding bout yesterday to win the Emperor’s Cup at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Both Ama and Hakuho won their final regulation bouts at Fukuoka Kokusai Center to improve to 13-2, forcing them into a further bout to decide the Cup.

After a prolonged standoff at the center of the ring, Hakuho prevailed with an arm throw that sent sekiwake Ama tumbling to the dirt surface.

It was Hakuho’s third straight Emperor’s Cup win.

“I lost on the first day and knew I had the responsibility to live to up to the expectations of a grand champion,” Hakuho said. “It was a tough tournament.”

Despite being runner-up, it was impressive showing for Ama, who virtually assured himself of promotion to sumo’s second-highest rank of ozeki with a 13-2 record.

He also won the tournament’s Technique Prize.

Another Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu, who has a total of 22 Emperor’s Cups, was forced to sit out with an injured elbow.
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