Two rank-and-filer wrestlers are making headlines at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, shrugging off the pressure of a gambling scandal rocking the ancient Japanese sport.
Mongolian Kakuryu and Japanese-born Homasho improved to 7-0 records on Saturday to stay right in step with yokozuna Hakuho and Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu as the 15-day meet approaches the end of the first week at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
Of course Hakuho, who is on an amazing 39-bout winning streak dating back to the New Year meet in January, is the hot favorite to win his 15th career title but the pair are making a show of giving the yokozuna a run for his money.