Akebono,
Musashimaru win

Yokozunas (grand champions) Akebono, or Chad Rowan from Hawaii, and Takanohana improved their record to 2-1 today while Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii, and fellow ozeki (champion) Takanonami stayed unbeaten today in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo.

Akebono flattened Kotonowaka for his 500th makuuchi division win. Takanohana walked out Tochinonada.

Takanonami whipped down Tamakasuga after a brief standstill at midring. Musashimaru went through the motions in plowing out winless Takatoriki.

Both winners boosted their records to 3-0 and share the early lead in the 15-day meet along with Kyokutenho, Gojoro and Shikishima.

Wrestling before more than 11,000 spectators, komusubi (junior champion second class) Kaio evaded Wakanohana's pushing attempts several times and sent him out, leaving Wakanohana at 1-2. Kaio is 2-1, including a victory over Takanohana on the opening day.

Ozeki Takanonami, who won the last tournament and could gain promotion to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna by winning this one, held off No. 6 maegashira (senior wrestler) Tamakasuga's pushing attempt and quickly pulled him down. Tamakasuga is 1-2.

Musashimaru grabbed No. 1 maegashira Takatoriki's belt and sent him out. Takatoriki is 0-3.

Takanohana sent out No. 2 maegashira Tochinonada (1-2), and Akebono slapped down No. 3 maegashira Kotonowaka (2-1).

Komusubi Kotonishiki sidestepped the initial charge and forced out sekiwake (junior champion) Musoyama (2-1) for his first victory against two defeats.

No. 4 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, was forced out by No. 1 maegashira Akinoshima when he tried to pull Akinoshima down in the initial charge, leaving both at 1-2.

Newly promoted No. 15 maegashira Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, forced out No. 14 maegashira Yamato for his third victory against no defeats. Yamato, or American George Kalima, is 1-2.

In the juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division, No. 12-ranked Hokutohikari pushed out No. 2-ranked Kaishinzan of makushita, the top junior division, for his second victory against one defeat. Kaishinzan, or American Henry Armstrong Miller, is 0-2.

In makushita, No. 22-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, sent out No. 20-ranked Mutsuhokkai for his second victory against no defeats.

No. 44-ranked Hoshiandesu (2-0), or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, slapped down No. 43-ranked Wakainami.

In sandanme, the second-highest junior division, No. 68-ranked Daiki, or American Percy Kipapa, suffered his first defeat against one victory as he was forced out by No. 65-ranked Tokotakara.

Wrestlers in the junior division have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.

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Results in Scoreboard

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