Musashimaru keeps solo lead at 11-2
Associated Press

TOKYO - Hawaii-born ozeki Musashimaru toppled one of his closest rivals, grand-champion Akebono, today to stay in the lead at 11-2 with three days left in the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Musashimaru needs just one win in the two remaining matches to capture the Emperor's Cup.

Another of the tournament's top contenders, yokozuna (grand champions) Takanohana, dropped out of the tournament early today because of a severe cold, fever and a liver ailment.

Today's bouts left a pack of four wrestlers tied for second place at 9-4, including ozekis Takanonami and Wakanohana, and sekiwake (junior champion) Tochiazuma.

In the final match of the day, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, got an early grip on Akebono's belt and slowly drove his fellow Hawaii wrestler to the ring's edge. The towering Akebono, or Chad Rowan, struggled fiercely but never managed to get a solid hold on Musashimaru. Akebono fell out of the ring back first hitting the ground under the crushing weight of Musashimaru.

Wakanohana pushed out No. 7 maegashira Shikishima to keep a share of second place. Shikishima dropped to 6-7.

No. 4 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Batbayar Davaa, dropped his ninth match when he was forced out by Tochiazuma.

Kyokushuzan, who is from Mongolia, may be demoted before the next tournament in Osaka, western Japan, in March because he was unable to win the majority of his 15 bouts.

No. 15 maegashira Kyokutenho, or Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, also from Mongolia, dropped to 8-5 after being forced out by No. 9 maegashira Ganyu (8-5).

In junior division bouts, No. 68-ranked Daiki, or American Percy Kipapa, recorded his sixth victory against one defeat by shoving out No. 74-ranked Hokutomori. No. 44-ranked Hoshiandesu also moved to 6-1 by driving out No. 34-ranked Kotonominu. No. 2-ranked Kaishinzan fell to 2-5 after losing to No. 7-ranked Toyozakura.

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Akebono might perform at Olympic ceremonies

Kyodo News Service

TOKYO - Yokozuna Akebono may perform sumo's ''dohyo-iri'' ring-entering ritual for the opening ceremony of the Nagano Olympic Winter Games in place of fellow grand champion Takanohana, who has been felled in a bout with acute bronchitis, sumo sources said.

Takanohana withdrew today from the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, suffering with a fever nearing 100 F and raising questions if he will be able to perform the ritual Feb. 7 at Minami Nagano Sports Park in Nagano, central Japan.

Takanohana is also scheduled to lead host Japan into the stadium during the parade of nations at the opening ceremony while Akebono is slated to lead in the delegation from Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics and traditionally the first nation in the parade.

Concerns over Takanohana's ability to perform the dohyo-iri were raised since the 25-year-old yokozuna is suffering from acute bronchitis and a liver ailment and will need about 10 days of rest and treatment in hospital to recover, according to doctors at a Tokyo hospital.

If Takanohana recovers on schedule, he should be healthy for the opening of the 18th Winter Games, but sumo officials are worried that it might be too soon to have him do the high-kicking, foot-stomping dohyo-iri in the cold wearing only a skimpy sumo sash.

''His condition wouldn't be back to 100% in such a short time after leaving the hospital,'' said Sakaigawa, head of the Japan Sumo Association. ''It depends on how well he recovers, but I think it's impossible. We will discuss having Akebono replace him.''

The final decision will rest with Takanohana. His father and stablemaster Futagoyama said, ''He's young so he'll recover quickly. There are enough days (between now and the opening ceremony) so I think he'll be OK for the Nagano Olympics.''

The sumo association, however, says it has agreed with the Nagano Olympic organizing committee (NAOC) that there is a possibility that a wrestler who has sat out the January tourney would not be allowed to take part in the opening gala.

Nevertheless, NAOC ceremonies manager Yoichi Kobayashi said he earnestly hopes Takanohana will appear in the opening ceremony and that he has not considered the possibility of what will happen if the yokozuna cancels his appearance.

The association and NAOC will meet next Wednesday to discuss the matter in detail.

Takanohana had a fever near 100 F when he pulled out from the New Year meet and picked up a default loss to sekiwake Musoyama for an unseemly total of five defeats in one meet.

Today's withdrawal was the second time the yokozuna has pulled out of a tournament after missing all of the Kyushu tourney in November 1996 with a strained back and intestinal infection.

Takanohana reportedly developed a fever during last month's sumo tour and as the current tourney approached, the fever became worse until it reached about 104 F just after the Jan. 11 start of the 15-day New Year meet.

Takanohana lost on the opening day and suffered consecutive losses the previous three days, with eight wins in between.

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