Akebono stays close
to leader Takanohana

TOKYO -- Yokozuna (grand champion) Akebono, or Chad Rowan of Hawaii, stayed one win behind fellow yokozuna Takanohana Today with six days left in the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

Takanohana pushed out lower-ranked Asanosho and kept the sole lead at 8-1. Akebono, who has won eight tournaments, crushed No. 1 maegashira Tamakasuga (5-4) to improve to 7-2. He is tied for second with sekiwake (junior champion) Tosanoumi and No. 12 maegashira (senior wrestler) Asahiyutaka.

Ozeki (champion) Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii, fought off sekiwake Kaio's initial charge and sent him out, leaving both at 6-3.

No. 14 maegashira Konishiki, or Salevaa Atisanoe from Hawaii, bulldozed out No. 15 maegashira Rikio, leaving both at 6-3.

No. 14 maegashira Yamato, or George Kalima from Hawaii, forced out No. 1-ranked Oginohana of juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi ranks, after clamping his foe's arms from outside. Yamato is 4-5 and Oginohana 3-6.

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 7-ranked Daiki, or Percy Kipapa from Hawaii, pushed out No. 9-ranked Seifuriki and is 3-2.