Takanohana 8-1,
Akebono 7-2 in Nagoya

NAGOYA, Japan -- Yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana easily forced out Asahiyutaka and kept the lead at 8-1 today in the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Yokozuna Akebono, or Chad Rowan from Hawaii, stayed one victory behind at 7-2, along with Takatoriki and Hamanoshima.

Akebono charged Aogiyama with a series of hand thrusts and threw him out.

Takatoriki slapped down Dejima and Hamanoshima threw down Asanowaka.

Ozekis (champions) Musashimaru and Wakanohana were at 6-3. Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii, drove out Tosanoumi and Waka-nohana twisted out Oginishiki.

Konishiki, or Salevaa Atisanoe from Hawaii, pushed out Tochinonada, improving to 5-4.

Yamato, or George Kalima from Hawaii, was forced out by Shikishima, dropping to 2-7.