Musashimaru back
on winning track

NAGOYA, July 19 (Kyodo) -- Yokozuna Musashimaru got back on the winning track Thursday with a convincing win over Kotomitsuki to retain a share of the lead at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kaio also stayed in the two-way tie at the top with a win over fellow ozeki Miyabiyama at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.

Musashimaru (12-1) bounced back after suffering his first defeat of the 15-day tourney against Wakanosato on Wednesday, disposing of local favorite Kotomitsuki (4-8) to disappoint a crowd firmly behind the komusubi.

The Aichi native had shared the spoils with the grand champion in each of their four previous battles but Musashimaru kept his concentration this time around and used his immense strength to shove the smaller sekiwake down for the win.

In the day's penultimate bout, Miyabiyama (6-6) had Kaio (12-1) in trouble from the charge, but moved in too quickly for the kill after he had spun the Tomozuna ozeki around, losing his balance and the chance for his fifth straight win.

Chiyotaikai (10-2) beat out Tamanoshima (9-3) to keep up the pressure on the two leaders, the ozeki had little trouble with the No. 7 maegashira, shoving him back for an easy win to become the only wrestler at just one win off the pace.

Wakanosato dropped back to earth after his giantkilling exploits against the yokozuna, falling to Kotonowaka (5-7) for his third loss after the No. 2 maegashira got a hold on his belt from the face-off and powered the komusubi out.

No. 5 maegashira Kyokushuzan (6-6) upset Musoyama (8-4), the Mongolian was up at the ozeki at the charge and finished off the bout with a deft shoulder throw.

Komusubi Asashoryu won an entertaining battle against Toki (5-7), the explosive Mongolian beating the No. 3 maegashira at his own slapping game and finally getting inside to lift his larger opponent out for his sixth victory.

In the lower ranks, Kyokutenho completed a perfect day for the three Mongolians in sumo's top division when he outmuscled the out-of-sorts Higonoumi (3-9) for his seventh win.

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Results

NAGOYA, July 19 (Kyodo) -- Results of makuuchi division bouts Thursday, the 12th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium (+ denotes juryo division wrestler):

Won -- Technique -- Lost

+Kobo 8-4 -- uwatenage -- Minatofuji 4-8
+Daishi 6-6 -- hikiotoshi -- Aminishiki 5-7
Tokitsuumi 8-4 -- shitatenage -- Kaiho 7-5
Wakatsutomu 6-6 -- yorikiri -- Kitazakura 3-9
Oginishiki 8-4 -- yorikiri -- Tochinohana 6-6
Asanowaka 4-8 -- oshidashi -- Chiyotenzan 4-8
Tamakasuga 5-7 -- yorikiri -- Jumonji 3-9
Daizen 6-6 -- sukuinage -- Akinoshima 4-8
Tosanoumi 6-6 -- okuritaoshi -- Kotoryu 7-5
Tochinonada 4-8 -- oshidashi -- Otsukasa 4-8
Kyokutenho 7-5 -- yorikiri -- Higonoumi 3-9
Hayateumi 2-10 -- tsukiotoshi -- Takanonami 3-9
Asashoryu 6-6 -- yorikiri -- Toki 5-7
Kotonowaka 5-7 -- yorikiri -- Wakanosato 9-3
Tochiazuma 8-4 -- yorikiri -- Takanowaka 8-4
Kyokushuzan 6-6 -- katasukashi -- Musoyama 8-4
Chiyotaikai 10-2 -- tsukidashi -- Tamanoshima 9-3
Kaio 11-1 -- okuritaoshi -- Miyabiyama 6-6
Musashimaru 11-1 -- oshitaoshi -- Kotomitsuki 4-8

Juryo Division

Aogiyama (8-4) Sentoryu (7-5)
Hamanishiki (7-5) Kuniazuma (8-4)

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Friday's bouts

Wakatsutomu x - x +Takatoriki
Asanowaka x - x +Juzan
Minatofuji 1 - 0 Aminishiki
Kyokutenho 3 - 5 Tokitsuumi
Jumonji 0 - 0 Oginishiki
Tochinohana 0 - 0 Kotoryu
Tamakasuga 1 - 2 Chiyotenzan
Akinoshima 2 - 0 Kaiho
Daizen 1 - 2 Otsukasa
Tamanoshima 0 - 0 Toki
Kitazakura 0 - 0 Higonoumi
Kyokushuzan 6 - 9 Takanonami
Hayateumi 0 - 3 Tochinonada
Asashoryu 2 - 0 Kotonowaka
Tosanoumi 0 - 0 Kotomitsuki
Miyabiyama 3 - 3 Takanowaka
Wakanosato 3 - 4 Musoyama
Chiyotaikai 10 - 7 Kaio
Tochiazuma 5 - 14 Musashimaru

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