Rank-and-filer Jokoryu caused shockwaves with an upset of yokozuna Harumafuji, while Hakuho had to dodge a bullet in the day’s finale to stay the course in pursuit of the all-time record at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.
Hakuho, who is gunning for his 33rd career title to surpass Taiho in sumo’s pantheon, improved to 7-0 to take the sole lead as the first week of the 15-day meet wrapped up. Kakuryu, sumo’s other top-ranked wrestler, was two off the pace after thrashing rank-and-filer Endo (2-5) in the day’s penultimate bout.
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