Sumo
Kyodo News Service
Saturday, March 27, 1999
OSAKA, Japan (AP) -- Hawaii-born ozeki (champion) Musashimaru and his Japanese counterpart Takanonami both won Saturday for a 12-2 tie and setting up a showdown on Sunday, the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Musashimaru,
Takanonami
tied at 12-2Komusubi (junior champion second class) Akinoshima was just behind the two at 10-4.
Seeking his fourth tournament victory, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, grabbed No. 4 maegashira (senior wrestler) Higonoumi by his left shoulder and swirled him around and then down to the ground. Higonoumi is 5-9.
Takanonami grabbed No. 9 maegashira Chiyotenzan, giving him a decisive push at the ringside. Chiyotenzan fell to 9-5.
The two champions will face each other in the final bout Sunday.
Akinoshima threw down No. 6 maegashira Minatofuji (6-8).
No. 3 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, was pushed out by No. 13 maegashira Ohinode (8-6). Kyokushuzan is 6-8.
In the 26-member juryo, just below the senior makuuchi division, No. 11-ranked Hoshitango (8-6), or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, drove out No. 17-ranked Tokitsunada (6-8).
In the highest junior division of makushita, No. 22-ranked Wakaazuma (4-3), or Yoshinobu Kuroda from Brazil, shoved out equal-ranked Kanechika.
No. 46-ranked Kyokutenzan (3-4), or Mongolian Enkhbat Batmunkha, was pushed out by No. 48-ranked Goto.
Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.
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