Sumo
Chiyotaikai takes lead
TOKYO, Jan. 25 (Kyodo) - Ozeki Chiyotaikai knocked a huge monkey off his back by mugging nemesis Musoyama on Friday to take sole possession of the lead at 12-1 in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Overnight co-leader Tochiazuma, however, appeared to have lost his strength along with his stubble as the new ozeki slipped to his second straight loss at the hands of fellow ozeki Kaio with two days left in the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.Tochiazuma, aiming to become the first wrestler in 33 years to win the Emperor's Cup on his ozeki debut, dropped to 11-2 and joins sekiwake Kotomitsuki, who boosted his chances of promotion to ozeki with a hard-fought win over Tosanoumi.
Tochiazuma, who had not shaved until his 11-match winning streak came to an end on Thursday, appeared nervous after making a false start in the day's finale and put up little resistance as Kaio (9-4) sent him backpedaling out of the ring.
Chiyotaikai also started out on the defensive against ozeki Musoyama (9-4) but managed to weather the storm and swing his opponent round and out of the dohyo for only his sixth win in 16 bouts against the Musashigawa stable fighter.
Kotomitsuki almost fluffed his lines at the charge but quickly regrouped to pull seventh-ranked maegashira Tosanoumi (8-5) down to the dirt and score an 11th win that will likely be enough to see the Sadogatake stable wrestler promoted to ozeki for the spring meet in March.
Elsewhere, sekiwake Asashoryu (8-5) unleashed a barrage of slaps and thrusts to send No. 6 maegashira Tochinonada (7-6) packing and secured a winning record on a triumphant day for the Mongolian trio in the makuuchi division.
Kyokutenho, who is certain to be relegated for the spring tourney after posting a losing record on his debut at komusubi, salvaged some pride by barging out one-time ozeki Dejima, leaving both wrestlers on 5-8.
Former komusubi Kyokushuzan (6-7) survived another day as a top-ranked maegashira by wrenching third-ranked Kaiho down to his 10th loss.
In an earlier bout, American 15th-ranked maegashira Sentoryu (6-7) saw his mini winning streak grind to a halt after going down to 10th-ranked Aminishiki (8-5).
TOKYO, Jan. 25 (Kyodo) - Results of makuuchi division bouts for Friday, the 13th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo (+ indicates juryo-division wrestler): Results
Won Technique Lost Jumonji 5-8 oshidashi +Kitazakura 6-7 Tochisakae 8-5 oshidashi Wakanoyama 4-9 Aminishiki 8-5 okuridashi Sentoryu 6-7 Tokitsuumi 9-4 isamiashi Daizen 6-7 Buyuzan 9-4 hikiotoshi Tamakasuga 7-6 Otsukasa 8-5 uwatenage Hamanishiki 8-5 Kotonowaka 7-6 yorikiri Oginishiki 6-7 Takanowaka 3-2-8 hatakikomi Asanowaka 2-11 Toki 5-8 hatakikomi Tamarikido 3-10 Oikari 6-7 oshidashi Tamanoshima 2-11 Akinoshima 4-9 uwatenage Kobo 3-10 Kyokushuzan 6-7 tottari Kaiho 3-10 Kyokutenho 5-8 yorikiri Dejima 5-8 Takanonami 6-7 hatakikomi Wakanosato 6-7 Asashoryu 8-5 tsukidashi Tochinonada 7-6 Kotomitsuki 11-2 katasukashi Tosanoumi 8-5 Chiyotaikai 12-1 oshidashi Musoyama 9-4 Kaio 9-4 oshidashi Tochiazuma 11-2
Saturday's bouts
Tochisakae x - x +Takatoriki Wakanoyama x - x +Kitazakura +Aogiyama x - x Asanowaka Oginishiki 1 - 1 Oikari Aminishiki 2 - 2 Jumonji Tamakasuga 0 - 0 Sentoryu Hamanishiki 1 - 1 Daizen Tokitsuumi 3 - 3 Otsukasa Kaiho 0 - 0 Tamarikido Tamanoshima 0 - 0 Kobo Takanowaka 1 - 3 Toki Kyokushuzan 7 - 11 Takanonami Dejima 13 - 7 Akinoshima Wakanosato 6 - 3 Tochinonada Kotonowaka 4 - 5 Kyokutenho Kotomitsuki 0 - 0 Buyuzan Tosanoumi 3 - 2 Asashoryu Kaio 8 - 10 Chiyotaikai Tochiazuma 15 - 3 Musoyama
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