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Sumo
OSAKA, March 17 (Kyodo) - Musashigawa stable mates Musashimaru, Musoyama and Miyabiyama posted impressive wins Friday to stay on the heels of unbeaten rank-and-filer Takatoriki on the sixth day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Musashigawa trio on
heels of Takatoriki
at spring sumoYokozuna Musashimaru, made quick work of No. 3 maegashira Kotoryu (2-4) in the day's penultimate bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, bulldozing straight ahead for a bread-and-butter victory which boosted the Samoan-born giant's record to 5-1.
Grand champion Takanohana registered his fifth win by twisting down top-ranked maegashira Wakanoyama (2-4), before Mongolian No. 2 maegashira Kyokutenho stepped onto the ring to accept a walkover as a result of yokozuna Wakanohana's retirement.
Kyokutenho returned to the changing rooms with a 2-4 record in the 15-day tourney, the same mark as Wakanohana, who announced his retirement Thursday after losing to sekiwake Tochiazuma.
Earlier, no. 14 maegashira Takatoriki had little trouble shoving out 10th-ranked Asanosho (2-4) to move to 6-0, while mid-maegashira wrestlers Toki and Asanowaka also won to join the six-man chasing pack.
Sekiwake Musoyama, gunning for ozeki promotion after winning his first Emperor's Cup at the New Year meet, shut down the attack of komusubi Kaio (2-4) and shoved his opponent out for win No. 5 in a scrappy bout.
Newly promoted sekiwake Miyabiyama, runner-up in January, saw red when Takanonami (3-3) slapped him in the face at the charge and frogmarched the lanky ozeki out of the ring to improve to 5-1.
Meanwhile, yokozuna Akebono narrowly avoided a three-day losing sequence as he lost his balance at the edge of the ring, but clung to the left foot of komusubi Tosanoumi (2-4) and squashed him from behind to up his record to 4-2.
Ozeki Dejima missed a chance to join his Musashigawa buddies on five wins as he was sent skidding to the dirt surface in the blink of an eye by Tochiazuma, who evened his record to 3-3.
Another ozeki, Chiyotaikai, dished out a mugging to Mongolian top-ranked maegashira Kyokushuzan (3-3) and improved to 4-2.
OSAKA, March 17 (Kyodo) - The Japan Sumo Association on Friday approved the resignation of yokozuna Wakanohana and his request to become sumo elder Fujishima, association officials said. Retired yokozuna
Wakanohana to become
sumo elder FujishimaThe 29-year-old Wakanohana, who announced his retirement Thursday after suffering his third loss in the ongoing Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, will coach active wrestlers at his stable under stablemaster and father Futagoyama.
"I feel a heavy burden has lifted from my shoulders," Wakanohana said. "The name Fujishima is time-honored. Life goes on and I'll do my best to live up to that name as an elder."
He took Futagoyama's advice and declined to continue using the name Wakanohana although grand champions are allowed to retain their names for up to five years after retiring.
"I always felt the pressure from wrestling under this name because the previous two namesakes both made yokozuna. I'd say my mission has been accomplished," Wakanohana said.
Wakanohana, whose real name is Masaru Hanada, changed his ring from Wakahanada in 1993 while wrestling at sumo's third highest rank of sekiwake.
On Thursday, the Tokyo native ended his 13-year professional career, including a 22-month stint as a grand champion, after dropping to 2-3 in the 15-day meet at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium following his absence for two tourneys through injury.
OSAKA, March 17 (Kyodo) - Results of makuuchi division bouts Friday, the sixth day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium (+ indicates juryo division wrestler): Results on 6th day of Spring
Grand Sumo TournamentWon -- Record -- Technique -- Lost -- Record
+Kinkaiyama -- 5-1 -- waridashi -- Daizen -- 2-4
Takatoriki -- 6-0 -- oshidashi -- Asanosho -- 2-4
Hamanoshima -- 4-2 -- hatakikomi -- Kaiho -- 3-2
Oginishiki -- 3-3 -- yorikiri -- Oikari -- 1-5
Asanowaka -- 5-1 -- hikiotoshi -- Terao -- 3-3
Tochinonada -- 4-2 -- tsukiotoshi -- Hayateumi -- 2-4
Akinoshima -- 3-3 -- okuridashi -- Tokitsuumi -- 1-5
Chiyotenzan -- 4-2 -- yorikiri -- Toki -- 5-1
Takanowaka -- 2-4 -- yorikiri -- Shikishima -- 1-5
Tamakasuga -- 2-4 -- yorikiri -- Minatofuji -- 1-5
Musoyama -- 5-1 -- yorikiri -- Kaio -- 2-4
Chiyotaikai -- 4-2 -- oshidashi -- Kyokushuzan -- 3-3
Tochiazuma -- 3-3 -- hikiotoshi -- Dejima -- 4-2
Miyabiyama -- 5-1 -- oshidashi -- Takanonami -- 3-3
Takanohana -- 5-1 -- sukuinage -- Wakanoyama -- 2-4
Kyokutenho -- 2-4 -- default -- Wakanohana -- 2-4
Musashimaru -- 5-1 -- yorikiri -- Kotoryu -- 2-4
Akebono -- 4-2 -- tsumatori -- Tosanoumi -- 2-4
Saturday's -- bouts
+Otsukasa -- x-x -- Daizen
+Kotomitsuki -- x-x -- Hayateumi
Asanosho -- 7-6 -- Terao
Asanowaka -- 2-4 -- Kaiho
Takatoriki -- 0-3 -- Toki
Tokitsuumi -- 2-0 -- Oginishiki
Oikari -- 0-0 -- Shikishima
Hamanoshima -- 1-1 -- Chiyotenzan
Akinoshima -- 4-4 -- Tochinonada
Kotoryu -- 3-2 -- Kyokutenho
Kaio -- 4-1 -- Miyabiyama
Musoyama -- 0-0 -- Takanowaka
Takanonami -- 11-5 -- Tochiazuma
Wakanoyama -- 0-0 -- Chiyotaikai
Dejima -- 7-4 -- Tosanoumi
Kyokushuzan -- 1-6 -- Akebono
Takanohana -- 14-4 -- Tamakasuga
Musashimaru -- 7-1 -- Minatofuji
OSAKA, Japan (AP) - Lower-ranked wrestler Takatoriki took the sole lead on the sixth day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament by adding another victory to his perfect 6-0 record. Lower-ranked Takatoriki
takes lead; Musashimaru
and Akebono winSeven other wrestlers, including yokozunas (grand champions) Musashimaru and Takanohana, were tied at 5-1.
Hawaiian-born yokozuna Akebono also won his bout Friday leaving him tied with four others at 4-2.
Takatoriki, No. 14-ranked maegashira (senior wrestler), pushed out No. 10-ranked maegashira Asanosho by grabbing his opponent's throat after they exchanged fierce thrusts. Asanosho slipped to 2-4
Wrestling at the Osaka prefectural (state) gymnasium in western Japan, Musashimaru, or Hawaiian-born Fiamalu Penitani, shoved out No. 3 maegashira Kotoryu with hand thrusts. Kotoryu is 2-4.
Takanohana gripped No. 1 maegashira Wakanoyama (2-4) on both sides and threw him down.
Akebono drove out komusubi (junior champion second class) Tosanoumi after almost slipping at the ringside. But Akebono clung desperately onto Tosanoumi's hip, saving himself from landing on the ground first.
No. 2 maegashira (senior wrestler) Kyokutenho (2-4), or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, effortlessly gained his second victory by default because of yokozuna Wakanohana's surprise retirement late Thursday.
Wakanohana made the announcement late Thursday after suffering his third defeat, driven out by sekiwake (junior champion) Tochiazuma and falling to a disappointing 2-3.
No. 1 maegashira Kyokushuzan (3-3), or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, was pushed out by ozeki (champion) Chiyotaikai (4-2).
In the 26-member juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division, No. 7-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, drove out No. 3-ranked Kitakachidoki (1-5) for his fifth victory against one loss.
No. 11-ranked Sentoryu, or American Henry Armstrong Miller, pushed No. 13-ranked Kitazakura (1-5) out of the ring. Sentoryu is 5-1.
In makushita, the top junior division, No. 12-ranked Hoshiandesu, or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, pushed down No. 10-ranked Wakatsutomu.
No. 22-ranked Wakaazuma, or Brazilian Yoshinobu Kuroda, drove out No. 18-ranked Otoryu, keeping his perfect 3-0 record.
No. 48-ranked Kuniazuma, or Vander Ramos from Brazil, threw down No. 49-ranked Shinmei, while No. 58-ranked Kyokutenzan, or Mongolian Enkhbat Batmunkha, was driven out by No. 53-ranked Yamauchi.
In sandanme, the second highest junior division, No. 5-ranked Kasugaoh (2-1), or Kim Son-tek from South Korea, threw down No. 2-ranked Tsujimoto.
No. 68-ranked Ryuo, or Wang Yu from Shanghai, China, was pushed out by No. 67-ranked Chokozan.
In jonidan, the third highest junior division, No. 117-ranked Ryukizan, or South Korean Kim Soo-young, was winless at 0-3 after being tripped by No. 114-ranked Kawahara.
In the lowest junior division of jonokuchi, No. 13-ranked Daibanjaku (3-0), or Mongolian Batsukh Khaidavmunkh, tossed out equal-ranked Murotani.
No. 34-ranked Asasekiryu, or Mongolian Badaarch Dashunyam, pushed out No. 29-ranked Takakimura for 3-0.
In an all-Mongolian match, No. 35-ranked Hakuba used an underarm throw to beat No. 38-ranked Fudoyama (2-1).
Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.
OSAKA, Japan (AP) - Results of main bouts Friday, the sixth day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectual Gymnasium: Results of main sumo bouts
Winners Losers
Kinkaiyama (juryo) (5-1) Daizen (3-3)
Takatoriki (6-0) Asanosho (2-4)
Hamanoshima (4-2) Kaiho (3-3)
Oginishiki (3-3) Oikari (1-5)
Asanowaka (5-1) Terao (3-3)
Tochinonada (4-2) Hayateumi (2-4)
Akinoshima (3-3) Tokitsuumi (1-5)
Chiyotenzan (4-2) Toki (5-1)
Takanowaka (2-4) Shikishima (1-5)
Tamakasuga (2-4) Minatofuji (1-5)
Musoyama (5-1) Kaio (2-4)
Chiyotaikai (4-2) Kyokushuzan (3-3)
Tochiazuma (3-3) Dejima (4-2)
Miyabiyama (5-1) Takanonami (3-3)
Takanohana (5-1) Wakanoyama (2-4)
Kyokutenho (1-5) Wakanohana (retired)
Musashimaru (5-1) Kotoryu (2-4)
Akebono (4-2) Tosanoumi (2-4)
Juryo Division
Sentoryu (5-1) Kitazakura (1-5)
Hoshitango (5-1) Kitakachidoki (1-5)
Junior Divisions:
Makushita
Hoshiandesu (2-1) Wakatsutomu
Wakaazuma (3-0) Otoryu
Kuniazuma (3-0) Shinmei
Yamauchi Kyokutenzan (2-1)
Sandanme
Kasugaoh (2-1) Tsujimoto
Chokozan Ryuo (1-2)
Kawahara Ryukizan (0-3)
Jonokuchi
Daibanjaku (3-0) Murotani
Asasekiryu (3-0) Takakimura
Hakuba (2-1) Fudoyama (2-1)(Junior division wrestlers have only seven bouts during the tournament. Records of foreign wrestlers' opponents were not available.)
Saturday's main bouts:
Otsukasa (juryo) Daizen
Kotomitsuki (juryo) Hayateumi
Asanosho Terao
Asanowaka Kaiho
Takatoriki Toki
Tokitsuumi Oginishiki
Oikari Shikishima
Hamanoshima Chiyotenzan
Akinoshima Tochinonada
Kotoryu Kyokutenho
Kaio Miyabiyama
Musoyama Takanowaka
Takanonami Tochiazuma
Wakanoyama Chiyotaikai
Dejima Tosanoumi
Kyokushuzan Akebono
Takanohana Tamakasuga
Musashimaru Minatofuji
Results in Scoreboard
For more sumo information online, try:
Sumo Web
Da Kine Sumo E-zine
Ozumo
Kyodo News Service