OSAKA -- Yokozunas (grand champions) Akebono and Takanohana continued their poor start to the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament Monday, losing again on the second day. Yokozunas Akebono, Takanohana suffer second straight upsets
Hawaiian-born Akebono, or Chad Rowan, tried to push out No. 4 maegashira (senior wrestler) Takatoriki (2-0), but Takatoriki grabbed his belt and sent him out.
Komusubi (junior champion second class) Kaio, who threw down Akebono on the opening day Sunday, did the same to Takanohana on Monday.
Ozeki (champion) Musashimaru, who also was an upset victim Sunday, rebounded Monday by sending out No. 5 maegashira Kotoryu (0-2) with hand thrusts.
Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii, won the previous tournament and could be promoted to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna if he wins this one.
Ozeki Wakanohana, Takanohana's elder brother, and fellow ozeki Takanonami both improved to 2-0. Wakanohana toppled No. 6 maegashira Wakanojo (0-2), and Takanonami crushed down komusubi Kotonishiki, who had beaten Musashimaru on Sunday.
No. 4 maegashira Kotonowaka sent out sekiwake (junior champion) Musoyama from behind, leaving both wrestlers at 1-1. Musoyama, who ended at 10-5 in the previous tournament, could be promoted to sumo's second highest rank of ozeki if he wins this tournament or wins most of his bouts.
No. 7 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, grabbed No. 10 maegashira Mainoumi's leg and toppled him for his first victory against one defeat. Mainoumi is 0-2.
No. 12 maegashira Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, clamped No. 8 maegashira Terao's arms from outside and sent him out, leaving both at 1-1.
In sandanme, the second-highest junior division, No. 44-ranked Kyokutenzan, or Mongolian Enkhbat Batmunkha, threw down No. 45-ranked Moriyasu for his first victory against no defeats.
Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.