Musashimaru,
Takanonami
lead at 11-2

OSAKA, Japan (AP) -- Hawaii-born Musashimaru and fellow ozeki (champion) Takanonami remained tied for the lead on Friday in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with identical records of 11-2.

Wrestling before 8,000 spectators at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, seeking his fourth tournament victory, easily pushed out No. 5 maegashira (senior wrestler) Tochinonada.

Tochinonada fell to 9-4, the second-best record, along with two other wrestlers. Two days remain in the spring tournament.

Takanonami held off an attack from sekiwake (junior champion) Kotonowaka, then pushed him to the ground after throwing him off-balance by twisting his shoulder. Kotonowaka was left with a record of 5-8.

The two other wrestlers at 9-4 were komusubi (junior champion second class) Akinoshima and No. 9 maegashira Chiyotenzan.

The two faced each other Friday and Chiyotenzan came away with the victory after he drove Akinoshima to the ring’s edge and pushed him over onto his back.

Komusubi Kaio improved to (8-5) by sidestepping a charge from No. 7 maegashira Miyabiyama, then pushing him to the dirt with a shove from behind. Miyabiyama fell to 8-5.

Komusubi Dejima (7-6) drove out No. 4 maegashira Higonoumi, leaving him with a record of 5-8.

In the juryo division, No. 11-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, shoved out No. 5-ranked Daishoho (4-9) for his seventh victory against six defeats.

In sandanme, the second-highest junior division, Wakabusho defeated No. 84-ranked Ryuo (4-3), or Wang Yu from Shanghai, China.

In Jonidan, the third highest junior division, No. 20-ranked Kuniazuma (7-0), or Brazilian Vander Ramos, shoved out Arakuma.

No. 89-ranked Kin (7-0), or Kim Son-tek from South Korea, pushed out Wakashoryu.

In Jonokuchi, the lowest junior division, No. 34-ranked Asashoryu (6-1), or Mongolian Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, shoved out Shinyu.

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

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Results in Scoreboard

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