Sumo
Associated Press
Thursday, September 24, 1998
TOKYO -- Yokozunas (grand champions) Takanohana and Wakanohana kept a two-way tie for the lead at 11-1 today with three days left in the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. Takanohana,
Wakanohana
keep two-way
lead at 11-1Hawaii-born yokozuna Akebono trailed the co-leaders at 9-3 by beating ozeki (champion) Musashimaru, also from Hawaii.
Akebono, or Chad Rowan, charged Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, with fierce hand thrusts against his foe's throat and drove him to the ring's edge.
Akebono then quickly pulled his opponent down, handing Musashimaru his fourth defeat against eight victories.
Takanohana, seeking his 20th tournament victory following a triumph in the last tournament, fought off No. 6 maegashira (senior wrestler) Tochinonada's arm throw attempt and sent him out, leaving Tochinonada at 6-6.
In the day's final bout, Wakanohana, Takanohana's elder brother, slapped down No. 3 maegashira Tamakasuga after clashing hard against him in the initial charge. Tamakasuga is 5-7.
In other major bouts, ozeki Takanonami grabbed No. 4 maegashira Wakanosato's belt and bulldozed him out for his seventh victory against five defeats. Wakanosato is 6-6.
Sekiwake (junior champion) Chiyotakiai charged equally-ranked Takatoriki with a series of hand thrusts and sent him out from behind for his eighth victory against four defeats. Takatoriki is 5-7.
No. 5 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, was thrown down by No. 10 maegashira Kaiho (6-6) for his eighth defeat against four victories.
Kyokushuzan may be demoted from the present rank before the next tournament in Kyushu beginning Nov. 8.
In the 26-member juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division, No. 5-ranked Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, crushed No. 2-ranked Dewaarashi for his sixth victory against six defeats. Dewaarashi is 5-7.
No. 13-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, forced out No. 17-ranked Kitazakura (7-5) for his eighth victory against four defeats.
In makushita, the top junior division, No. 20-ranked Wakaazuma (4-2), or Yoshinobu Kuroda from Brazil, sent out No. 17-ranked Tamanokuni from behind.
But No. 12-ranked Kaishinzan (4-2), or American Henry Armstrong Miller, was sent out by No. 18-ranked Towanoyama.
No. 45-ranked Kitaazuma (3-3), or Brazilian Tetsuya Takeda from Sao Paulo, was slapped down by No. 42-ranked Akinohana.
In sandanme, the second highest junior division, No. 2-ranked Ikemori (3-3), or Brazilian Luis go Ikemori from Sao Paulo, was sent out by No. 7-ranked Kotohino.
Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.
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