Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho and ozeki Kisenosato maintained their perfect records to set up an intriguing clash as they eased to victories on the 12th day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday.
Hakuho was briefly pushed to the edge of the ring by Goeido (7-5) but there was no real danger of getting pushed out. When the ozeki tried to produce another charge, he lost his footing and was sent sprawling at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Kisenosato had a comfortable bout against injury-plagued Terunofuji (2-10), with a strong right-hand push to the throat of his fellow ozeki and easily ousted the Mongolian, who suffered his 10th straight defeat.
Kisenosato, chasing his first career title, led Hakuho by a win in March’s Spring tourney in Osaka, but lost against the yokozuna on the 11th day. The ozeki then lost to Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji the following day as Hakuho went on to claim his record-extending 36th championship.
Harumafuji became the only wrestler with just two losses in the current basho, getting hold of the front side of Kotoyuki’s (5-7) belt with his right hand and forcing the sekiwake out. The popular sekiwake appeared to stumble going out and was propelled backward through the air to a crash landing among the spectators.
Yokozuna Kakuryu found himself close to elimination from title contention after a defeat to Kotoshogiku (7-5). The ozeki wrapped the Mongolian up, quickly grappling the yokozuna out to his third loss.
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