OSAKA – Grand champion debutant Asashoryu wiped the clownish expression off Takamisakari’s face Friday with a convincing fifth win but was still left chasing front-running Chiyotaikai at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
“Kadoban” ozeki Chiyotaikai hauled down Tosanoumi to grab sole possession of the lead at 6-0 after overnight co-leaders Jumonji and Kotoryu were handed their first defeats of the 15-day meet at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
In the day’s finale, second-ranked maegashira Takamisakari (1-5) gave the crowd plenty to giggle and cheer about with his bizarre pre-bout rituals and comical facial expressions, earning applause normally reserved for grand champions.
But Asashoryu, who is seeking a third straight Emperor’s Cup, had the last laugh as he choked Takamisakari with a vice-like grip and followed through with a pair of powerful slaps before sending his opponent sprawling with a beltless armthrow.
Chiyotaikai outfoxed Tosanoumi (3-3) after a strong clash at the face-off, jinked to the left before pulling the komusubi down by the back of his neck for an easy win.
Fourteenth-ranked maegashira Jumonji’s winning streak came to an end after being outclassed by former ozeki Miyabiyama (4-2) while Kotoryu repeatedly jumped the gun before being lifted out of the ring by veteran Takanonami (3-3).
In other key bouts, relegation-haunted ozeki Kaio put Thursday’s shock defeat to komusubi Dejima behind him with a routine force-out win over Tamanoshima that leaves both men on 4-2. Kaio needs four more wins to maintain his ozeki status.
It all went belly up again for bumbling Musoyama though, as the bumbling ozeki was barged out by Tochinonada (3-3) and left the ring nursing a sore shoulder and a 1-5 record.
Dejima (4-2) showed glimpses of the form that once elevated him to sumo’s second rank of ozeki as he quickly charged faltering sekiwake Kotomitsuki out to a fourth loss.
It was a bad day all round for the sekiwake camp as Wakanosato dropped to 3-3 after being shunted out of the ring by No. 3 maegashira Kotonowaka, who also has a 3-3 record.
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.