Wakanohana keeps
sole lead at 4-0

TOKYO -- Yokozuna (grand champion) Wakanohana narrowly beat lower ranked Asahiyutaka and grabbed the sole lead with four victories against no defeats today, the fourth day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

One victory behind Wakanohana at 3-1 are 11 wrestlers, including two yokozunas Takanohana and Hawaiian-born Akebono, ozeki (champion) Musashimaru, also from Hawaii, and sekiwake (junior champion) Chiyotaikai.

Wrestling at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, Wakanohana averted No. 3 maegashira Asahiyutaka's driving attempts at the ring's edge and twisted him down, leaving Asahiyutaka at 2-2.

In the day's final bout, Takanohana charged No. 2 maegashira (senior wrestler) Kotonowaka with a leg trick and forced him out. Kotonowaka is 2-2.

Akebono, or Chad Rowan, attacked winless No. 2 maegashira Minatofuji with a series of hand thrusts and pushed him down.

Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, bulldozed Chiyotaikai out.

In other major bouts, No. 1 maegashira Kaio charged Takanonami with pushes against his throat, toppling him. Both Kaio and Takanonami are 2-2.

No. 5 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, charged komusubi (junior champion second class) Musoyama and tried to drive him out.

But Musoyama slapped him down for his second victory against two defeats. Kyokushuzan is 1-3.

In the 26-member juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division, No. 13-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, was pushed out by No. 8-ranked Chiyotenzan (4-0) for his second defeat against two victories.

No. 5-ranked Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, was sent out by No. 9-ranked Tomonohana (3-1) for his third defeat against one victory.

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 45-ranked Kitaazuma, or Brazilian Tetsuya Takeda from Sao Paulo, was toppled down by No. 44-ranked Konoryu for his first defeat against one victory.

In sandanme, the second highest junior division, No. 2-ranked Ikemori, or Brazilian Luis Go Ikemori from Sao Paulo, thrust down No. 4-ranked Tenichi and remained undefeated at 2-0.

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

Results in Scoreboard

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