Musashimaru remains tied for the lead

TOKYO - Yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana and Hawaii-born ozeki (champion) Musashimaru remained tied for the lead

at 8-1 today, the ninth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

But Takanonami, who won the last tournament, suffered his third defeat and his fellow ozeki Wakanohana his fourth upset.

One victory behind the co-leaders at 7-2 is only No. 13 maegashira (senior wrestler) Wakanojo, who threw down No. 8 maegashira Higonoumi (5-4).

In the day's last match, Takanohana, seeking his 19th tournament victory, threw down No. 5 maegashira Oginishiki, handing Oginishiki his fifth defeat against four victories.

Yokozuna Akebono, or Chad Rowan from Hawaii, grabbed No. 1 maegashira Takatoriki's belt quickly and bulldozed him out for his sixth victory against three defeats. Takatoriki is 3-6.

Musashimaru easily sent out No. 3 maegashira Tosanoumi, leaving him at 2-7.

No. 5 maegashira Aogiyama (3-6) charged Takanonami with a series of hand thrust against his foe's throat and sent him out, handing Takanonami his third defeat against six victories. Takanonami won the last tournament and could gain promotion to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna if he wins this tournament.

In other major bouts, komusubi (junior champion second class) Kotonishiki (4-5) crushed down Wakanohana (5-4).

Sekiwake (junior champion) Musoyama charged equal ranked Tochiazuma with hand thrusts and slapped him down, leaving both wrestlers at 6-4.

No. 2 maegashira Tochinonada held off No. 4 maegashira Kyokushuzan's initial charge of sidestepping to left and forced him out, leaving the both wrestlers at 4-5. Kyokushuzan's real name is Batbayar Davaa from Mongolia.

No. 14 maegashira Yamato, or George Kalima of Hawaii, charged No. 13 maegashira Terao with hand thrusts and thrust him out for his fifth victory against four defeats. Terao is 4-5.

Newly promoted No. 15 maegashira Kyokutenho (6-3), or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, forced out No. 11 maegashira Kotoinazuma (4-5).

No. 14 maegashira Mainoumi (4-5), the lightest wrestler at 99 kilograms (218 pounds) at makuuchi senior division, toppled No. 3-ranked Susanoumi (3-6) of juryo division, the heaviest wrestler at 233 kilograms (513 pounds), with an arm throw attempt.

In the top junior division of makuuchi, No. 2-ranked Kaishinzan (2-3), or American Henry Armstrong Miller, pushed out No. 5-ranked Daiden.

No. 44-ranked Hoshiandesu (4-1), or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, thrust out No. 50-ranked Nakabuchi and No. 22-ranked Hoshitango (4-1), or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, slapped down No. 19-ranked Shinmei.

In sandanme, the second highest junior division, No. 18-ranked Kyokutenzan, or Mongolian Enkhbat Batmunkha, suffered his third defeat against two victories as he was driven out by No. 12-ranked Hanada.

No. 68-ranked Daiki (4-1), or American Percy Kipapa, sent out No. 63-ranked Sekiyama.

Wrestlers in the junior divisions have only seven bouts during the tournament.

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Results in Scoreboard

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