Sumo
Associated Press
Thursday, January 14, 1999
TOKYO -- Wakanohana remained undefeated at 5-0, but Hawaii's Musashimaru suffered his second upset on Thursday, fifth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Musashimaru suffers
second upsetAlong with Yokozuna (grand champion) Wakanohana, three other wrestlers -- sekiwake (junior champion) Chiyotaikai, lower ranked Chiyotenzan and Hamanoshima -- all have yet to suffer a defeat.
Wrestling before 11,000 spectators, Wakanohana, seeking his sixth tournament victory, pushed out No. 4 maegashira (senior wrestler) Minatofuji after a mid-ring tussle. Minatofuji is 1-4.
In the day's final bout, yokozuna Takanohana fought off No. 3 maegashira Aogiyama's hand thrusts and emerged from the ring with a victory, leaving both wrestlers at 2-3.
Ozeki (champion) Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii, rushed No. 1 maegashira Kaio in an initial charge, but Kaio sidestepped to the left and quickly pulled his rival down. Kaio is 2-3 and Musashimaru 3-2.
In other major bouts, ozeki Takanonami clamped one of No. 2 maegashira Tamakasuga's elbows from outside and sent him out for his third victory against two defeats. Tamakasuga is 1-4.
Chiyotaikai and komusubi (junior champion second class) Tochiazuma fought each other with fierce hand thrusts before Chiyotaikai slapped down his opponent, handing Tochiazuma a second defeat against three victories.
No. 12 maegashira Hamanoshima bulldozed out No. 14 maegashira Kinkaiyama and No. 14 maegashira Chiyotenzan downed No. 12 maegashira Oginishiki. Kinkaiyama is 0-5 and Oginishiki 4-1.
No. 2 maegashira Takatoriki thrust down komusubi Kotonishiki, the winner of the previous tournament in November, leaving both wrestlers at 1-4.
No. 8 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, beat No. 10 maegashira Gojoro for his second victory against three defeats. Gojoro is 1-4.
In the 26-member juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division, No. 6-ranked Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, was forced out by No. 4-ranked Tokitsunada (2-3) for his second defeat against three victories.
No. 9-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, pushed out No. 7-ranked Kotoinazuma (2-3) for his third victory against two defeats.
In makushita, the top junior division, No. 19-ranked Hoshiandesu (2-1), or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, bested No. 18-ranked Toshinyama.
No. 35-ranked Kyokutenzan (2-1), or Mongolian Enkhbat Batmunkha, took the win in a bout with No. 34-ranked Fukuseyama.
Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the tournament.
Results in Scoreboard
For more sumo information
online, try Sumo Web!