OSAKA -- Veteran No. 14 maegashira Takatoriki extended his improbable win streak Thursday by mugging sekiwake Musoyama to boost his record to a perfect 12-0 at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
Takatoriki, hailing from neighboring Kobe, treated a packed house at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium to another barnstorming display, punishing Musoyama for some pre-bout gamesmanship with some vicious blows to the face which disorientated the wannabe ozeki.
After causing a false start with some delaying tactics, Musoyama, chasing promotion to sumo's second highest rank after lifting his first Emperor's Cup in the New Year, crashed to the dirt surface and left the ring with a 9-3 record in the 15-day meet.