Asashoryu within a bout
of catching Chiyotaikai

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Star-Bulletin news services

OSAKA, Japan >> Yokozuna Asashoryu and four other sumotori won today to gain a match on Spring Grand Sumo Tournament leader Chiyotaikai.

At 9-2, ozeki Chiyotaikai still maintains sole possession of first place. But he is now within striking distance for Asashoryu, Yotsukasa, Miyabiyama, Tokitsuumi and Hokutoriki, who are 8-3 with four days remaining in the basho.

Mongolian Asashoryu, the only yokozuna (grand champion) at the basho, beat Kaiho (5-6) by kotenage (armlock throw).

Iwakiyama withdrew from the tournament yesterday after aggravating an old lower back injury. Shimotori pulled out a day earlier after he broke a left rib in a bout Monday.

Musashimaru, or Hawaii's Fiamalu Penitani, is sitting out the basho with a torn tendon in his left wrist that has been slow to heal.

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Results

OSAKA, March 19 (Kyodo) — Results of makuuchi-division bouts for Wednesday, the 11th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium(+ indicates juryo-division wrestlers):

Won		Technique	Lost
+Yotsukasa	8-3	oshidashi	Kasuganishiki	4-7
Akinoshima	4-7	oshidashi	+Asanowaka	7-4
Buyuzan	7-4	oshidashi	Tamarikido	5-6
Jumonji	7-4	yoritaoshi	Asasekiryu	4-7
Miyabiyama	8-3	hikiotoshi	Tochinohana	3-8
Gojoro	6-5	hatakikomi	Aminishiki	5-6
Tokitsuumi	8-3	yorikiri	Kyokushuzan	7-4
Kasugao	5-6	tsuridashi	Kinkaiyama	3-8
Takanotsuru	4-7	yorikiri	Toki	4-7
Hokutoriki	8-3	hikiotoshi	Tamanoshima	7-4
Kotonowaka	5-6	uwatenage	Wakanoyama	2-9
Tochinonada	7-4	yorikiri	Takanonami	6-5
Takamisakari	5-6	yorikiri	Tosanoumi	5-6
Dejima	7-4	shitatenage	Kyokutenho	5-6
Kotomitsuki	4-7	default	Iwakiyama	6-5
Wakanosato	7-4	yorikiri	Chiyotaikai	9-2
Kaio	7-4	shitatenage	Kotoryu	5-6
Asashoryu	8-3	kotenage	Kaiho	5-6

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