Wakanohana wins
Spring Grand

OSAKA, Japan (AP) - Ozeki (champion) Wakanohana slapped down komusubi (junior champion second class) Kotonishiki on Sunday and won the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with a 14-1 record.

It was the 27-year-old Wakanohana's fourth tournament title, but his first since the New Year tournament in 1997.

Wakanohana clinched the title and 10 million yen (dlrs 76,900) top prize by sidestepping Kotonishiki's initial charge, leaving the onrushing komusubi off balance, and easily slapping him down. Kotonishiki ended at 6-9.

That left yokozuna (grand champion) Akebono, the only wrestler who beat Wakanohana in this tournament, unable to catch up.

Akebono, who won all his bouts after losing the first two, finished at 13-2 by beating another wrestler from Hawaii, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani.

''I have wrestled each bout with all of my might,'' Wakanohana said. ''I thought I should wrestle harder'' because of the withdrawal of his younger brother, yokozuna Takanohana, on the tournament's fifth day.

Takanohana, who has won 18 titles, was hospitalized for a severe cold, fever and liver ailment after losing three bouts.

Akebono, or Chad Rowan, charged ozeki Musashimaru with an arm throw attempt and sent him out.

Musashimaru had won the previous tournament in January, meaning he could have gained promotion to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna by winning this tournament. But he managed only an 8-7 record.

In other major bouts, sekiwake (junior champion) Musoyama fought off ozeki Takanonami's attempt to clamp his arms from outside and sent him out. Musoyama finished at 9-6 and Takanonami at 8-7.

No. 7 maegashira (senior wrestler) Aogiyama sent out komusubi Kaio with hand thrusts and received his first Fighting Spirit Award of 2 million yen (dlrs 15,400) for his 11-4 record.

Kaio, although he managed only an 8-7 record, won his eighth outstanding performance award of 2 million yen. He beat both yokozunas - Akebono and Takanohana.

No. 6 maegashira Tosanoumi drove out No. 14 maegashira Higonoumi and received his third Fighting Spirit Award for his 10-5 record. Higonoumi finished at 9-6.

No. 1 maegashira Chiyotaikai charged No. 9 maegashira Minatofuji with hand thrusts and bulldozed him out. He finished at 8-7 record and received his first Technique Prize of 2 million yen. Minatofuji also finished at 8-7.

No. 7 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, wound up at 4-11, losing Sunday to No. 15 maegashira Asanowaka (8-7) by a driving technique.

Kyokushuzan faces likely demotion before the next tournament in Tokyo May 10-24, as does No. 12 maegashira Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav. Kyokutenho forced out No. 3 maegashira Ganyu (3-12) and ended at 6-9.

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 20-ranked Hoshiandesu, or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, twisted down No. 17-ranked Tokiryu and ended at 5-2.

No. 13-ranked Kaishinzan, or American Henry Armstrong Miller, finished at 1-6 as he was thrown down by No. 6-ranked Kyokubenten.

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