Kyokushuzan downs
Musashimaru, Toki
summer sumo leader

TOKYO - Mongolian trickster Kyokushuzan threw down yokozuna hopeful Musashimaru on Friday, leaving Elvis look-alike Toki the unlikely leader six days into the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kyokushuzan, a former komusubi wrestling as a No. 4 maegashira, slipped to the left of the hard-charging Musashimaru at the face-off of their bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan and secured a firm outside grip on the ozeki's sash with his lefthand.

The 26-year-old native of Ulan Bator then uncorked a powerful throw that sent Musashimaru to his first loss after five straight wins in the 15-day tourney, giving Kyokushuzan only his first win over the Hawaiian-born ozeki in eight meetings.

Kyokushuzan's stunning upset also left Toki the lone undefeated leader in the tourney as the No. 8 maegashira with the mutton-chop sideburns downed sixth-ranked Tokitsuumi, 3-3, with a barrage of slaps and thrusts.

In other main bouts, yokozuna Akebono salvaged a bad day for the holders of sumo's top two ranks by shoving out nemesis Takatoriki, 1-5, for his fourth straight win.

Akebono, only 24-15 lifetime against Takatoriki, drove the scrappy komusubi to the edge of the ring twice and each time allowed him to escape to the left.

Unlike numerous times in the past when he fell for Takatoriki's "disappearing" act, however, Akebono kept his balance and made the third charge count as he stiff-armed the komusubi out to record the only win Friday for the ozeki and yokozuna.

Chiyotenzan, a No. 3 maegashira squaring off with a yokozuna for the first time, showed little respect for Wakanohana as he pulled the grand champion with an arm bar and sent him out of the ring from behind. Both wrestlers are 3-3.

Veteran No. 3 maegashira Kotonishiki, winner of the Kyushu tourney last November, cranked over ozeki Takanonami, 4-2, with a belt throw at the edge of the ring for his fifth win.

Sekiwake Akinoshima needed only one butt of the head at the face-off for his fourth win as stunned top maegashira Tosanoumi slipped to the ring's surface and a 3-3 slate.

In an all-sekiwake encounter, Kaio caught Dejima, 3-3, off the initial charge with a classic headlock and twisted his opponent over for a fourth win.

Kyokutenho, a No. 14 maegashira from Mongolia, dragged top juryo wrestler Mitoizumi to the ring's surface for a fourth win.

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Results in Scoreboard

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