Ozeki Goeido's chance of getting promoted to yokozuna was dealt a blow on Sunday, in a narrow loss to sekiwake Okinoumi for his second defeat at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
After a false start, Goeido's tame charge was sharply countered by Okinoumi (2-6), who was all over the ozeki in a flash. Goeido clung to the straw bales with his left heel while Okinoumi was dragged down to the surface, and the referee initially handed the win to Goeido at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
But the ringside judges overturned the ruling, claiming Goeido's body, which was teetering on the straw bales was already out of the ring.