Musashimaru tied for first

Associated Press

TOKYO -- Hawaii-born Musashimaru won today, the seventh day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, putting him in a three-way tie for first place as he pursues sumo's top rank.

At Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, ozeki (champion) Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, drove out his opponent, sekiwake (junior champion) Kaio.

The victory gives Musashimaru a 6-1 record. He won the previous tournament at 13-2 and could be promoted to yokozuna (grand champion) if he clinches this one.

Yokozuna Akebono, or Chad Rowan from Hawaii, kept a step behind his countryman by driving out No. 2 maegashira Miyabiyama. Akebono improved his record to 5-2.

Fellow yokozuna Wakanohana dropped to 3-4 after losing to No. 3 maegashira Kotonishiki. Kotonishiki rose to 6-1, while Toki, the No. 8 maegashira who had been the only undefeated wrestler in the top division of the summer tourney, dropped to 6-1 after No. 4 maegashira Aogiyama shoved him from the ring.

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Wakanohana pulls out
of summer sumo

TOKYO, May 15 (Kyodo) -- Yokozuna Wakanohana, hampered with a swollen left ankle, pulled out of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday after suffering his fourth loss against only three wins in the first week of the 15-day tourney.

Wakanohana was examined at a hospital Saturday after losing a one-sided bout to No. 2 maegashira Kotonishiki at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan with stable master Futagoyama reporting that the ankle was painful just to touch.

"Wakanohana intended to give it his best shot, but in this case, it is probably just too painful," explained Futagoyama, who is also Wakanohana's father.

"I apologize to the sumo fans and the head of the Japan Sumo Association. I never thought that I would be injured in another place," said Wakanohana, who also pulled out of the spring tourney in March with a thigh injury.

"I wanted to be like Akebono. I thought that if I wrestle, I should do my best," said the 28-year-old grand champion, who will be sitting out his second straight tourney and the ninth of his career.

Wakanohana, after dropping out of the spring tourney, appeared doubtful for the summer basho, but through hard training, he was ready for opening day last Sunday.

On Wednesday, however, Wakanohana injured his ankle in a loss to No. 2 maegashira Tochinonada and has since lost two of his last three bouts.

Wakanohana's opponent for Sunday, No. 4 maegashira Kyokushuzan will be awarded a win by default.

Wakanohana's withdrawal comes as a blow to the summer tournament which is already missing yokozuna Takanohana and ozeki Chiyotaikai while yokozuna Akebono continues to wrestle tentatively following his return to the ring after a six-month hiatus with a lower-back injury.

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