Kaio to take own pace
in yokozuna quest

Kaio holds on for title

OSAKA, March 26 (Kyodo) - Fresh from his second Emperor's Cup triumph at the just-concluded Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, ozeki Kaio said Monday he will take things at his own pace when he challenges for a place at sumo's ultimate rank of yokozuna in May.

"If I think about (promotion) too much it will drain me of my energy," said the Tomozuna stable veteran, who won the spring tourney with a 13-2 record by hauling down fellow ozeki Musoyama on final day of the 15-day meet at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.

"Getting tense about it will only make my body stiffen up. Whatever happens is meant to happen," added the 28-year-old Fukuoka native, referring to his chance to join yokozuna pair Takanohana and Musashimaru at the top of sumo's premier league.

Kaio will likely fill the gap left by former grand champion Akebono, who retired earlier this year, if he can clinch back-to-back championships by successfully defending his summer title at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

But, despite posting double-digit records in every tourney since his promotion to ozeki last July, Kaio will need to prove he is worthy of a place at sumo's peak by defeating at least one of the yokozuna to avoid his promotion being labeled "controversial."

Both grand champions handed Kaio defeats heading down the final straight in Osaka and Takanohana will be out for revenge after his loss to Musashimaru bout erased his chances for a playoff and handed the ozeki the title.

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Kaio holds on for title

Associated Press

OSAKA, Japan >> Kaio threw down his fellow ozeki (champion) Musoyama yesterday and captured the championship of the 15-day Spring Sumo Tournament with a 13-2 record.

It is the 28-year-old Kaio's second championship, following his triumph in the summer grand championship last May.

Wrestling before the capacity crowd of 8,000 at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in western Japan, Kaio fought off Musoyama's hand thrusts and leg tricks, grabbed his foe's belt and threw him down, handing Musoyama his third defeat against 12 victories.

Hawaiian-born Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, grabbed his fellow yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana's belt and sent him out, leaving both wrestlers at 12-3.

"When I suffered two straight defeats (to yokozunas Musashimaru and Takanohana on the 13th and 14th days), I thought I wouldn't win the tournament, but I never gave up the hope," Kaio said.

Day 15

Minatofuji (juryo) (6-9) def. Tochinohana (6-9)
Tamanoshima (11-4) def. Jumonji (9-6)
Kaiho (8-7) def. Otsukasa (8-7)
Tosanoumi (10-5) def. Terao (8-7)
Tamakasuga (9-6) def. Takatoriki (5-10)
Akinoshima (5-10) def. Daishi (4-11)
Aminishiki (8-7) def. Tokitsuumi (6-9)
Kotomitsuki (10-5) def. Tochisakae (8-7)
Takanonami (6-9) def. Hamanoshima (5-10)
Chiyotenzan (7-8) def. Kotonowaka (6-9)
Asanowaka (7-8) def. Kyokutenho (3-11)
Wakanoyama (6-9) def. Higonoumi (6-9)
Tochiazuma (9-6) def. Hayateumi (6-9)
Tochinonada (8-7) def. Takanowaka (8-7)
Dejima (8-7) def. Asashoryu (9-6)
Miyabiyama (7-8) def. Wakanosato (6-9)
Kaio (13-2) def. Musoyama (12-3)
Musashimaru (12-3) def. Takanohana (12-3)

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