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Sumo
TOKYO, Jan. 10 (Kyodo) -- Yokozuna Takanohana and Musashimaru showed their supremacy on the raised ring with convincing wins Wednesday to emerge as the only unbeaten wrestlers on the fourth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Yokozuna perfect,
ozeki fall again in
New Year sumoBut it was another embarrassing show from ozeki as three of the four grapplers wrestling at sumo's second highest rank fell to defeat in a second straight day of upsets in the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Takanohana, showing the kind of form that has won him 20 Emperor's Cups, overwhelmed newly promoted sekiwake Kotomitsuki (1-3) with a powerful throw as he aims to end a title drought that stretches back to September 1998.
In the preceding bout, Musashimaru never looked in any danger of being the victim of an upset loss. The Samoan-born giant delivered a devastating series of slaps and neck thrusts before shoving out fourth-ranked maegashira Tochiazuma (2-2) for a no-nonsense win.
Miyabiyama, one of the four ozeki upstaged by lower-ranked wrestlers on Tuesday, came to the rescue for the Musashigawa stable by flooring No. 4 maegashira Akinoshima (2-2) as stable mates Dejima and Musoyama topped the latest ozeki casualty list.
Dejima (1-3) failed to capitalize on his aggressive charge and fifth-ranked maegashira Tosanoumi (2-2) made him pay dearly when he pulled the ozeki off balance and onto the dirt.
Musoyama (2-2) attempted to bounce back from Tuesday's defeat but his slaps and thrusts were wide of the mark, enabling fifth- ranked Tamakasuga to twist him down for win No. 2.
Veteran Kaio, the only ozeki to win on Tuesday, was sent backpedaling out of the dohyo ring by komusubi Tochinonada to leave both wrestlers at 2-2 before Miyabiyama halted the ozeki collapse by dragging down No. 4 maegashira Akinoshima (2-2) for his third win.
Meanwhile, Mongolian No. 10 maegashira Kyokushuzan (2-2) slapped down winless No. 13 Tamarikido, while compatriots Kyoukutenho and Asashoryu ended their unbeaten runs.
Eighth-ranked Kyokutenho was hauled down by seventh-ranked Higonoumi (2-2) and makuuchi division debutante Asashoryu, a No. 12 maegashira, saw his impressive start to the tourney falter as 11th- ranked Kinkaiyama (2-2) tripped him up for the win.
TOKYO, Jan. 9 (Kyodo) -- Ozeki Chiyotaikai announced his withdrawal from the ongoing New Year Grand Sumo Tournament after sustaining an ankle injury in his loss to komusubi Tochinonada on Tuesday. Injured Chiyotaikai
pulls out of New Year sumoChiyotaikai suffered ligament and bone damage in his right ankle, and a doctor told the 24-year-old Kokonoe stable wrestler he needs two months to recover. The defeat was his first in the 15-day tournament being held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
Stablemaster Kokonoe said Chiyotaikai apparently aggravated the minor injury he originally picked up Monday when he attempted a leg-trip maneuver that led him to a win against top maegashira Takanonami.
"Obviously, Chiyotaikai can't wrestle. It's necessary for him to recover completely even if his absence from the dohyo forces his demotion from the ozeki rank," Kokonoe said.
Chiyotaikai's withdrawal is his third from a Grand Sumo Tournament in his eight-year career. Komusubi Takanowaka, who was scheduled to meet Chiyotaikai on Wednesday, will earn a win by default.
TOKYO, Jan. 10 (Kyodo) -- Results of makuuchi division bouts Wednesday, the fourth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo (+ denotes juryo division wrestler): Results of main bouts on
4th day of New Year sumo
Won Technique Lost
Asanowaka 3-1 makiotoshi Daishi 2-2
Wakakosho 2-2 oshidashi Takatoriki 2-2
Kinkaiyama 2-2 kakenage Asashoryu 3-1
Kyokushuzan 2-2 hatakikomi Tamarikido 0-4
Minatofuji 2-2 yoritaoshi Hamanoshima 2-2
Higonoumi 2-2 kotenage Kyokutenho 3-1
Kotoryu 3-1 uwatenage Tokitsuumi 3-1
Wakanoyama 2-2 oshitaoshi Tochinohana 0-4
Chiyotenzan 2-2 oshidashi Kaiho 1-3
Kotonowaka 2-2 oshidashi Tochisakae 1-3
Wakanosato 2-2 yorikiri Takanonami 1-3
Tosanoumi 2-2 hatakikomi Dejima 1-3
Takanowaka 1-3 default Chiyotaikai 2-2
Tochinonada 2-2 yorikiri Kaio 2-2
Tamakasuga 2-2 tsukiotoshi Musoyama 2-2
Miyabiyama 3-1 hatakikomi Akinoshima 2-2
Musashimaru 4-0 oshitaoshi Tochiazuma 2-2
Takanohana 4-0 uwatenage Kotomitsuki 1-3
Thursday's bouts
+Terao x - x Wakakosho
Daishi 0 - 0 Tamarikido
Takatoriki 0 - 0 Asashoryu
Asanowaka 8 - 8 Minatofuji
Kyokutenho 3 - 1 Kinkaiyama
Kyokushuzan 4 - 5 Kotoryu
Higonoumi 5 - 3 Tokitsuumi
Hamanoshima 2 - 2 Chiyotenzan
Kotonowaka 0 - 2 Tochinohana
Takanonami 4 - 3 Wakanoyama
Tochinonada 0 - 1 Kotomitsuki
Wakanosato 2 - 0 Tochisakae
Tosanoumi 5 - 3 Miyabiyama
Dejima 2 - 0 Kaiho
Kaio 2 - 0 Takanowaka
Akinoshima 11 - 15 Musoyama
Takanohana 13 - 5 Tochiazuma
Tamakasuga 2 - 12 Musashimaru
TOKYO (AP) -- Hawaii-born Musashimaru and his fellow yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana remained undefeated at 4-0 for a two-way lead on Wednesday, the fourth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo tournament. Yokozuna Musashimaru,
Takanohana remain
undefeatedOne victory behind the two yokozunas at 3-1 were seven wrestlers, including ozeki (champion) Miyabiyama and two Mongolians -- No. 8 maegashira (senior wrestler) Kyokutenho and No. 12 maegashira Asashoryu.
Ozeki Chiyotaikai withdrew from the tournament because of an ankle injury received in his bout on Tuesday. Ozekis Dejima, Kaio and Musoyama lost their bouts on Wednesday.
Wrestling at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, charged No. 4 maegashira Tochiazuma with hand thrusts and sent him out, leaving Tochiazuma at 2-2.
In the day's final bout, Takanohana grabbed newly promoted sekiwake (junior champion) Kotomitsuki's belt and downed him with an arm throw. Kotomitsuki is 1-3.
No. 5 maegashira Tamakasuga fought off ozeki Musoyama's driving attempt at the ring's edge and twisted him down, leaving both wrestlers at 2-2.
Tochinonada forced out ozeki Kaio after fighting off Kaio's arm attempts. Both wrestlers are 2-2.
No. 5 maegashira Tosanoumi fought off ozeki Dejima's driving attempt at the ring's edge and slapped him down for his second victory against two defeats. Dejima is 1-3.
In other major bouts, Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, was thrown down by No. 7 maegashira Higonoumi (2-2).
No. 10 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Batbayar Davaa, pulled down winless No. 13 maegashira Tamarikido for his second victory against two defeats.
Asashoryu, or Mongolian Dolgorsvren Dagvadrj, was thrown down by No. 11 maegashira Kinkaiyama (2-2).
In the 26-member juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division, No. 6-ranked Kuniazuma, or Brazilian Vander Ramos, forced out No. 4-ranked Juzan to improve his record to 3-1. Juzan is 1-3.
In makushita, the top junior division, No. 7-ranked Hoshitango (1-1), or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, pushed out No. 6-ranked Wakahayato.
No. 19-ranked Kasugaoh (1-1), threw down No. 18-ranked Nadatsukasa.
No. 47-ranked Asasekiryu (1-1), or Mongolian Badaarch Dashunyam, forced out No. 46-ranked Shindo.
In sandanme, the second highest junior division, Azumaoh (1-1), or Brazilian Yasuto Morita, pushed out No. 50-ranked Kiyoseryu.
In jonidan, the third highest junior division, No. 30-ranked Daibanjaku (1-1), or Mongolian Batsukh Khaidavmunkh, threw down No. 29-ranked Oonochikara.
No. 72-ranked Hakuba (2-0), or Mongolian Ariunbayar Unurjargal, lifted out No. 70-ranked Suzunohana.
In jonokuchi, the lowest junior division, No. 33-ranked Kondoh threw down No. 33-ranked Hoshizakura (0-2), or Mongolian Myagmar Altangerel.
Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the tournament.
TOKYO (AP) -- Results of main bouts Wednesday, the fourth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena: Results of main sumo bouts
Winners Losers
Asanowaka (3-1) Daishi (2-2)
Wakakosho (2-2) Takatoriki (2-2)
Kinkaiyama (2-2) Asashoryu (3-1)
Kyokushuzan (2-2) Tamarikido (0-4)
Minatofuji (2-2) Hamanoshima (2-2)
Higonoumi (2-2) Kyokutenho (3-1)
Kotoryu (3-1) Tokitsuumi (3-1)
Wakanoyama (2-2) Tochinohana (0-4)
Chiyotenzan (2-2) Kaiho (1-3)
Kotonowaka (2-2) Tochisakae (1-3)
Wakanosato (3-1) Takanonami (1-3)
Tosanoumi (2-2) Dejima (1-3)
Takanowaka (1-3) Chiyotaikai (2-2) by default
Tochinonada (2-2) Kaio (2-2)
Tamakasuga (2-2) Musoyama (2-2)
Miyabiyama (3-1) Akinoshima (2-2)
Musashimaru (4-0) Tochiazuma (2-2)
Takanohana (4-0) Kotomitsuki (1-3)
Juryo Division
Kuniazuma (3-1) Juzan (1-3)
Junior Divisions:
Makushita
Hoshitango (1-1) Wakahayato
Kasugaoh (1-1) Nadatsukasa
Asasekiryu (1-1) Shindo
Sandanme
Azumaoh (1-1) Kiyosekyu
Jonidan
Daibanjaku (1-1) Oonochikara
Hakuba (2-0) Suzunohana
Kondoh Hoshizakura (0-2)(Junior division wrestlers have only seven bouts during the tournament. Records of foreign wrestlers' opponents were not available.)
Thursday's main bouts:
Terao (juryo) Wakakosho
Daishi Tamarikido
Takatoriki Asashoryu
Asanowaka Minatofuji
Kyokutenho Kinkaiyama
Kyokushuzan Kotoryu
Higonoumi Tokitsuumi
Hamanoshima Chiyotenzan
Kotonowaka Tochinohana
Takanonami Wakanoyama
Tochinonada Kotomitsuki
Wakanosato Tochisakae
Tosanoumi Miyabiyama
Dejima Kaiho
Kaio Takanowaka
Akinoshima Musoyama
Takanohana Tochiazuma
Tamakasuga Musashimaru
For more sumo information online, try:
Sumo Web
Da Kine Sumo E-zine
Ozumo
Kyodo News Service