Mongolian grand champion Hakuho was upset at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament yesterday as compatriot and fellow grand champion Asashoryu moved into a seven-way tie for the lead.
Hakuho (3-1) suffered his first defeat of the 15-day tourney when No. 2 maegashira Aminishiki dodged to the side at the faceoff and swatted Hakuho down. Aminishiki improved to 2-2.
In the final bout of the day, Asashoryu wasted little time in using a series of arm thrusts to send No. 2 maegashira Miyabiyama out over the straw ridge to improve to 4-0. Miyabiyama fell to 0-4.
PHOTO: AFP
Other wrestlers at 4-0 are rank-and-filers Otsukasa, Tochiozan, Homasho and No. 11 maegashira Takamisakari, No. 7 Hokutoriki and fifth-ranked Georgian Kokkai.
In other major bouts, ozeki Chiyotaikai swatted down Kotoshogiku to pick up his third win against one loss. Sekiwake Kotoshogiku fell to 1-3.
Ozeki Kaio used an arm throw at the edge of the ring to dispatch komusubi Kisenosato to improve to 3-1. Kisenosato fell to 2-2.
Ozeki Kotomitsuki finally picked up a win and improved to 1-3 when he shoved out No. 3 maegashira Toyonoshima, who dropped to 0-4.
The Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu dropped to 2-2 when he was forced out by top maegashira Kakuryu, who also stands at 2-2.
Mongolian sekiwake Ama forced out winless komusubi Takekaze to improve to 2-2.
Top maegashira Asasekiryu overpowered No. 3 maegashira Tokitenku, who dropped to 2-2.
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