Musashimaru opens strong
with win over Kyokutenho

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Star-Bulletin wire services

TOKYO >> Musashimaru started right where he left off in September.

Musashimaru, or Hawaii's Fiamalu Penitani, beat Kyokutenho by yorikiri -- frontal force out -- on the first day of the Winter Grand Sumo Tournament.

Musashimaru is coming off a victory in the Autumn Tournament in September, a win that moved him past Akebono (Hawaii's Chad Rowan) in career titles -- and into sixth place on sumo's all-time list.

Musashimaru beat rival yokozuna Takanohana on the final day of the tournament to wrap up his 12th Emperor's Cup. Takanohana, who has won 22 times, pulled out of this month's event with an injury. Takanohana missed seven consecutive tournaments before participating in the autumn event.

Ozeki Kaio, who was 12-3 last tournament, started off well by downing Takanowaka.

Musashimaru has won three of the past four bashos.

Kasuganishiki (1-0) def. Asanowaka (0-1)
Akinoshima (1-0) def. Aogiyama (0-1)
Jumonji (1-0) def. Tochisakae (0-1)
Tochinohana (1-0) def. Tamarikido (0-1)
Iwakiyama (1-0) def. Buyuzan (0-1)
Ushiomaru (1-0) def. Dejima (0-1)
Wakanoyama (1-0) def. Kotonowaka (0-1)
Aminishiki (1-0) def. Kaiho (0-1)
Toki (1-0) def. Tokitsuumi (0-1)
Tochinonada (1-0) def. Kotoryu (0-1)
Kyokushuzan (1-0) def. Shimotori (0-1)
Takamisakari (1-0) def. Gojoro (0-1)
Wakanosato (1-0) def. Tamakasuga (0-1)
Miyabiyama (1-0) def. Tochiazuma (0-1)
Musoyama (1-0) def. Hokutoriki (0-1)
Asashoryu (1-0) def. Tosanoumi (0-1)
Chiyotaikai (1-0) def. Takanonami (0-1)
Kaio (1-0) def. Takanowaka (0-1)
Musashimaru (1-0) def. Kyokutenho (0-1)

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