Musashimaru,
Takanonami keep two-
way lead at 10-2

OSAKA, Japan (AP) -- Hawaii-born Musashimaru scored his 10th victory against two defeats and kept a two-way lead with his fellow ozeki (champion) Takanonami on Thursday with three days left in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

One victory behind the two at 9-3 were two wrestlers -- komusubi (junior champion second class) Akinoshima and No. 5 maegashira (senior wrestler) Tochinonada.

Wrestling before 8,000 spectators at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, seeking his fourth tournament victory in his career, charged No. 9 maegashira Chiyotenzan with hand thrusts against his foe’s throat and sent him out, leaving Chiyotenzan at 8-4.

Takanonami held on No. 4 maegashira Tamakasuga’s driving attempts at the ring’s edge by turning around the edge and pushed him out. Tamakasuga is 5-7.

In other major bouts, Akinoshima sidestepped to the left in the initial charge and pulled down No. 7 maegashira Miyabiyama, leaving Miyabiyama at 8-4.

Tochinonada fought off komusubi Tochiazuma’s driving attempts and quickly twisted him down, handing Tochiazuma his fourth defeat against eight victories.

Komusubi Dejima drove out No. 3 maegashira Kyokushuzan to improve his record to 6-6. Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, is 5-7.

No. 1-ranked Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, of the juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division, drove out No. 10 maegashira Mitoizumi for his seventh victory against five defeats. Mitoizumi is 4-8.

In the juryo division, No. 11-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, thrust out No. 3-ranked Kinkaiyama (5-7) for his sixth victory against six defeats.

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 22-ranked Wakaazuma (3-3), or Yoshinobu Kuroda from Brazil, toppled down No. 26-ranked Arauma by a leg trick.

No. 27-ranked Hoshiandesu (5-1), or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, thrust out No. 30-ranked Natsuhori.

No.43-ranked Ryuho forced out No. 46-ranked Kyokutenzan (3-3), or Mongolian Enkhbat Batmunkha.

In sandanme, the second highest junior division, No. 84-ranked Ryuo (4-2), or Wang Yu from Shanghai, China, crushed out No. 82-ranked Yotsuguruma.

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

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Results in Scoreboard

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