Musashimaru moves
into two-way lead
with Miyabiyama

TOKYO -- Musashimaru moved into a two-way lead with lower-ranked Miyabiyama at 8-1 as his fellow yokozuna (grand champion) Wakanohana handed Miyabiyama his first defeat on Monday, the ninth day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo tournament.

One victory behind the co-leaders at 7-2 is No. 11 maegashira (senior wrestler) Wakanoyama.

Wrestling at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena in downtown Tokyo, Wakanohana sidestepped to left in the initial charge and slapped down No. 5 maegashira Miyabiyama.

Wakanohana is 6-3 along with six other wrestlers - ozekis (champions) Dejima and Chiyotaikai, sekiwake (junior champion) Kaio, No. 3 maegashira Akinoshima, No. 10 maegashira Kotoryu and No. 12 maegashira Kyokutenho from Mongolia.

In the day's final bout, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii, held on No. 4 maegashira Shikishima's arm throw attempt and forced him out, leaving Shikishima at 2-7.

Wakanoyama fought off a series of No. 7 maegashira Terao's hand thrusts and sent him out. Terao is 4-5.

In other major bouts, Chiyotaikai charged Kaio with fierce hand thrusts against his opponent's throat and slapped him down, and Dejima bulldozed out Akinoshima.

No. 14 maegashira Asanowaka pulled down Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, for his fifth victory against four defeats.

Kotoryu shoved out No. 12 maegashira Hamanoshima, leaving Hamanoshima at 5-4.

No. 2 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, charged komusubi (junior champion second class) Musoyama with hand thrusts and quickly pulled him down for his fourth victory against five defeats. Musoyam is 5-4.

In the juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division, No. 10-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, slapped down No. 11-ranked Tochinohana to improve his record to 6-3. Tochinohana is 5-4.

No. 10-ranked Sentoryu, or American Henry Armstrong Miller, pulled down No. 4-ranked Mitoizumi for his fifth victory against four defeats. Mitoizumi is 2-7.

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 6-ranked Wakaazuma (1-4), or Yoshinobu Kuroda from Brazil, was thrust down by No. 2-ranked Aminishiki.

No. 26-ranked Kuniazuma (4-1), or Brazilian Vander Ramos, slapped down No. 22-ranked Shinmei.

In sandanme, the second-highest junior division, No. 66-ranked Ryuo (1-4), or Wang Yu from Shanghai, China, was thrown down by No. 61-ranked Mutsuryu.

In jonidan, the third highest junior division, No. 118-ranked Kotonomori (4-1), or Brazilian Mario Fuchiue, sent out No. 123-ranked Shimura from behind.

No. 160-ranked Ryukizan, or South Korean Kim Soo-young, toppled No.4-ranked Watanabe of jonokuchi, the lowest junior division, by a leg trick.

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

Results from 9th day
of autumn sumo

Kyodo News Service

TOKYO -- Results of makuuchi division bouts Monday, the ninth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo (+ denotes juryo division wrestler):

Won -- Technique -- Lost
Asanowaka 5-4 -- tsukiotoshi -- Kyokutenho 6-3
Higonoumi 4-5 -- tsukiotoshi -- Ohinode 5-4
Kotoryu 6-3 -- oshidashi -- Hamanoshima 5-4
Tokitsuumi 4-5 -- yorikiri -- Kinkaiyama 2-7
Otsukasa 5-4 -- yorikiri -- Kaiho 4-5
Tochinonada 3-6 -- yorikiri -- Ganyu 3-6
Wakanoyama 7-2 -- oshidashi -- Terao 4-5
Aogiyama 5-4 -- tsukidashi -- Wakanosato 3-6
Takatoriki 5-4 -- oshidashi -- Kotonowaka 4-5
Chiyotenzan 5-4 -- oshidashi -- Toki 2-7
Minatofuji 4-5 -- hikiotoshi -- Asanosho 2-7
Kyokushuzan 4-5 -- katasukashi -- Musoyama 5-4
Tochiazuma 5-4 -- hikiotoshi -- Kotonishiki 3-6
Tosanoumi 4-5 -- yoritaoshi -- Tamakasuga 5-4
Dejima 6-3 -- yorikiri -- Akinoshima 6-3
Chiyotaikai 6-3 -- hatakikomi -- Kaio 6-3
Wakanohana 6-3 -- hatakikomi -- Miyabiyama 8-1
Musashimaru 8-1 -- yorikiri -- Shikishima 2-7

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Results in Scoreboard

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Kyodo News Service