NAGOYA — Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho had to hold off his title celebrations at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday, despite handily beating Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu to match the third-longest winning streak in sumo history.
Hakuho, who is the only undefeated wrestler at 13-0, can claim his 15th career title outright with a win over countryman Harumafuji on Saturday, regardless of the result of Japanese-born challenger Homasho, who defeated sekiwake Kisenosato to keep his slim title hopes alive with an 11th win.
With his win over Kotooshu, Hakuho tied former yokozuna great Taiho's 45-bout winning streak that ran from the second day of the 1968 autumn meet until the first day of the 1969 spring meet. Hakuho's winning run began on the penultimate day of the New Year meet in January.