Musashimaru upset at Autumn
Grand Sumo Tournament

TOKYO (AP) - Hawaiian-born yokozuna (grand champion) Musashimaru suffered his first loss on the fourth day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at the hands of No. 2 maegashira (senior wrestler) Kotomitsuki.

In the day's final bout at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, got a grip of his opponent's belt shortly after the face off but Kotomitsuki kept his cool.

After a prolonged standoff, Kotomitsuki pulled Musashimaru back with a lower grip, deftly sidestepped the grand champion at the edge of the ring and then gently nudged him out to improve to 3-1.

Musashimaru's loss left rank-and-file maegashira Kitazakura as the surprise leader. The No. 13 maegashira forced out 15th-ranked maegashira Daishi with ease to preserve his perfect 4-0 record.

Earlier Wednesday, back pain forced ozeki (champion) Kaio to withdraw from competition.

In other major bouts, top-ranked maegashira Asashoryu, or Mongolian Dolgorsvren Dagvadrj, forced Miyabiyama to the ringside where he got a hand on the back of the belt and threw the stunned ozeki down for his third loss.

Asashoryu improved to 3-1 and is one win behind Kitazakura along with 11 other wrestlers.

Sekiwake (junior champion) Dejima exchanged a series of arm thrusts with Chiyotaikai and then forced the ozeki back to the edge where he ran out of room. Dejima picked up his second win while handing Chiyotaikai his second loss.

Ozeki Musoyama had an easy time with winless Tamakasuga, grabbing the third-ranked maegashira by the throat and then driving him out to improve to 3-1.

Sekiwake Tochiazuma, meanwhile, cruised to 3-1 after absorbing a bone crushing charge by Tosanoumi at the face-off and then slapping the No.3 maegashira down within seconds.

Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, suffered his first loss of the tournament when No. 9 maegashira Higonoumi grabbed hold of his belt and spun him down to the dirt. Higonoumi joined the chase pack at 3-1.

No. 6 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayer Davaa, was forced to the edge of the ring where he was toppled out by fourth-ranked maegashira Tokitsuumi. Tokitsuumi also improved to 3-1, while Kyokushuzan fell to 2-2.

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Results of Main Sumo Bouts

TOKYO (AP) - Results of main bouts Wednesday, the fourth day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena:

Winners Losers

Takatoriki (2-2) Wakatsutomu (0-4)
Kitazakura (4-0) Daishi (2-2)
Chiyotenzan (2-2) Hamanishiki (3-1)
Aminishiki (2-2) Tochinohana (0-4)
Wakanoyama (2-2) Oginishiki (2-2)
Higonoumi (3-1) Kyokutenho (3-1)
Daizen (3-1) Akinoshima (1-3)
Otsukasa (2-2) Hayateumi (0-4)
Takanonami (2-2) Kotoryu (2-2)
Kaiho (3-1) Toki (2-2)
Tokitsuumi (3-1) Kyokushuzan (2-2)
Takanowaka (3-1) Tochinonada (2-2)
Kotonowaka (2-2) Wakanosato (2-2)
Tochiazuma (3-1) Tosanoumi (1-3)
Musoyama (3-1) Tamakasuga (0-4)
Dejima (2-2) Chiyotaikai (2-2)
Tamanoshima (1-3) Kaio (0-4)
Asashoryu (3-1) Miyabiyama (1-3)
Kotomitsuki (3-1) Musashimaru (3-1)

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Juryo Division

Sentoryu (1-3) Wakatoryu (1-3)

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Thursday's main bouts:

Takatoriki Daishi
Hamanishiki Aminishiki
Wakanoyama Wakatsutomu
Kitazakura Oginishiki
Chiyotenzan Daizen
Hayateumi Akinoshima
Higonoumi Toki
Kyokushuzan Otsukasa
Takanonami Kyokutenho
Tochinonada Tokitsuumi
Kaiho Kotoryu
Wakanosato Tamakasuga
Asashoryu Dejima
Tochiazuma Tamanoshima
Takanowaka Miyabiyama
Musoyama Kotonowaka
Kotomitsuki Chiyotaikai
Musashimaru Tosanoumi

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