Musashimaru suffers
third defeat, Kotonishiki
leading with 9-0

FUKUOKA, Japan -- Hawaiian-born ozeki (champion) Musashimaru suffered his third defeat, and lower-ranked Kotonishiki remained the only undefeated wrestler Monday, ninth day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

No. 12 maegashira (senior wrestler) Kotonishiki grabbed the belt of No. 6 maegashira Wakanosato (5-4) and drove him backward out of the ring.

One victory behind at 8-1 was No. 9 maegashira Tosanoumi, who beat No. 9 maegashira Minatofuji (5-4).

Wakanohana suffered his second defeat, losing to No. 4 maegashira Tamakasuga (6-3), and was tied with his brother and fellow yokozuna (grand champion), Takanohana, and ozeki Takanonami at 7-2.

Takanohana, who has won 20 tournaments, beat komusubi (junior champion second class) Dejima (4-5), and Takanonami pushed out maegashira Toki (3-6).

Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, was slapped down by sekiwake (junior champion) Chiyotaikai, leaving both at 6-3, tied with Tamakasuga, No. 1 maegashiras Kaio and Tochiazuma, and komusubi Musoyama.

No. 12 maegashira Kyokushuzan (3-6), or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, lost to No. 7 Shikishima (5-4) of the juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division.

Top juryo wrestlers have been filling in for Hawaiian-born yokozuna Akebono, or Chad Rowan, who is sitting out the tournament with a leg injury.

In a regular juryo match, Mongolian Kyokutenho, or No. 2-ranked Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, improved to 4-5 by beating No. 7-ranked Daishi, also 4-5.

No. 10-ranked Hoshitango (5-4), or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, defeated No. 9-ranked Kitakachidoki (4-5).

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 5-ranked Hoshiandesu (1-4), or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, lost to No. 7-ranked Tominagayama. No. 11-ranked Wakaazuma, or Yoshinobu Kuroda from Brazil, slipped to 2-3 after losing to No. 7-ranked Towanoyama.

In sandanme, the second-highest junior division, No. 15-ranked Ryuko, or Brazilian Luis Go Ikemori, improved his record to 3-2 by defeating No. 13 Tanaka. No. 47-ranked Azumakaze (3-2), or Brazilian Tussato Guiuliano Kotinda, beat No. 51-ranked Chaen.

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

Results in Scoreboard

For more sumo information
online, try Sumo Web!