Takanohana, Wakanohana
share lead at 10-1

TOKYO -- Yokozunas (grand champions) Takanohana and Wakanohana both won today to remain in a two-way tie for the lead at 10-1, with four days left in the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Yokozuna Akebono trailed the co-leaders at 8-3 along with his fellow Hawaii-born ozeki (champion) Musashimaru and No. 15 maegashira (senior wrestler) Toki.

Takanohana, seeking his 20th tournament victory following a triumph in the last tournament, dodged No. 5 maegashira Kyokushuzan's initial pushing attack and sent him out. Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, fell to 4-7.

Wakanohana slapped down sekiwake (junior champion) Chiyotaikai after the wrestlers charged at each other with fierce hand thrusts in the mid-ring. Chiyotaikai is 7-4.

In the day's final bout, Akebono, or Chad Rowan from Hawaii, attacked ozeki Takanonami with hand thrusts and pushed him out, handing Takanonami his fifth defeat against six victories.

Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii, charged No. 4 maegashira Aogiyama with hand thrusts and slapped him down. Aogiyama is 4-7.

Toki thrust out No. 1-ranked Oikari of the juryo, just below the senior makuuchi division, leaving Oikari at 7-4.

In the 26-member juryo division, No. 5-ranked Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, slapped down No. 4-ranked Zenshinyama, leaving both wrestlers at 5-6.

No. 13-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, was driven out by No. 9-ranked Tomonohana for his fourth defeat against seven victories. Tomonohana is also 7-4.

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 49-ranked Yamato (4-2), or American George Kalima, defeated No. 47-ranked Takanagai.

No. 7-ranked Hoshiandesu (4-2), or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, toppled No. 4-ranked Kaigatake.

In sandanme, the second highest junior division, No. 6-ranked Kyokutenzan (4-2), or Mongolian Enkhbat Batmunkha, threw down No. 1-ranked Kotohikari.

No. 33-ranked Azumakaze (2-4), or Brazilian Tussato Guiuliano Kotinda, slapped down No. 25-ranked Kototaishu.

Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.

Results in Scoreboard

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