Ozeki Goeido's dream of reaching the highest rank of yokozuna fell back to the drawing board after he suffered his third defeat Monday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, where yokozuna Kakuryu remained perfect.
Goeido (6-3), whose chance was hit severely with his loss a day earlier, saw his hopes completely evaporate after falling to fellow ozeki Kisenosato (7-2). The Osaka native got the better of the initial charge but was unable to keep hold of escaping Kisenosato, and was floored on a thrust-down at the edge of the ring.
Kakuryu had an even opening against sekiwake Takayasu (4-5) as both kept their opponent away with pushes to the throat, but the Mongolian yokozuna's timely dodge and a pulling throw turned his opponent inside out before a force-out win that improved his record to 9-0 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.