FUKUOKA, Japan - Takanohana, who won his fourth straight championship in September, retained the highest position in rankings for the Grand Sumo tournament in southwestern Japan next month.Rankings for the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, which gets underway Nov. 10 at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center, were announced today by the Japan Sumo Association.
The 24-year-old Takanohana defeated fellow yokozuna (grand champion) Akebono on the last day of the September tournament held in Tokyo, finishing with a perfect 15-0 record.
It was Takanohana's 15th career victory and his fourth 15-0 tournament.
Akebono, formerly Chad Rowan from Hawaii, will hold the top spot in the west side rankings after finishing 10-5 in the previous tournament.
Musashimaru, formerly Fiamalu Penitani, was ranked just below Akebono in the west side. Musashimaru was 11-4 in the September tourney.
Ozeki Wakanohana will hold the top ozeki position in the east after finishing 11-4 in September.
Konishiki, formerly Salevaa Atisanoe of Hawaii, who finished at a disappointing 4-11 record in September, was demoted to No. 9 from No. 4 in the makuuchi, sumo's top division.
Aitofi Tautaua'a led the Vulcans (5-17 overall, 1-8 PWC) with a match-high 24 kills. Lindsay Jones and April Jacobson added 14 and 12 kills, respectively.
The Vulcans compiled a 1-5 record on the road trip.
Ron Huddleston and Sandra Burgess were first in the men's and women's divisions in the 50-mile race with times of 7:33:38 and 8:22:29, respectively.
In the 50-kilometer (31.1 miles) race, Jeff Huff was the men's winner in 4:21:54 while Alison Dias finished first in the women's division with a time of 5:07:01.
Liu lost in the singles championship match to Lawrence Neuville (Brenau College), 6-4, 6-2.
The victory qualifies Hawaii for the Ultimate National Tournament, Nov. 7-9, at Plano, Texas.
The Master's Division is composed of players 28 and older.
The women's team (Iolani School courts), is made up of Connie Chilton, Barbara Chong, Sharon Fairbanks, Roberta Femia, Jean Hartmann, Faye Kim, Marilyn Kiner, Julie McElhiney and Judy Moody.
The men's team (Koko Head and Waianae tennis centers), includes Peter Balding, Pete Calpito, Ira Gordon, Mike Kubo, Mel Leong, James Toguchi, Bob Namechek, Eric Ching, David Ward, Howard Hironaka, Ko Isayama and Clifford Tamura.
Both teams qualified by winning Hawaii Pacific Tennis Association sectional championships.
The course is available to the general public Monday through Friday beginning at 11 a.m.
Special introductory and Kama'aina prices are available. For more information, call 944-4567.