Asashoryu stuns Musashimaru
at autumn sumo

TOKYO (AP) - Mongolian-born wrestler Asashoryu got a leg up on Musashimaru Friday, sending the yokozuna (grand champion) to his second loss of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the day's final bout, top maegashira (senior wrestler) Asashoryu grabbed Musashimaru's right leg immediately after the face off and sent the stunned Hawaii grappler toppling into the first row of seats at the Ryogoku Sumo Arena.

With the victory, Asashoryu, or Dolgorsvren Dagvadrj, improved to 5-1 and is tied for the lead with four other wrestlers. Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, dropped to 4-2.

In other major bouts, Musoyama held on to his share of the lead with an easy victory over No. 2 maegashira Takanowaka (3-3) who had no chance against the powerful ozeki (champion).

Ozeki Chiyotaikai got back on the winning track after three straight losses when he grabbed a hold of Wakanosato's belt after the face off and hoisted the komusubi (junior champion second class) out. Both wrestlers stand at 3-3.

Dejima picked up his third win after he got both arms around Kotonowaka (2-4) and used his lower body strength to force the towering top maegashira out over the straw ridge.

Rising star Kotomitsuki, a No.2 maegashira, prevailed in a hard-fought battle with Tochiazuma (4-2).

Kotomitsuki was pushed to the brink but showed good foot work along the edge and bounced back to drive the sekiwake (junior champion) out to maintain a share of the lead.

No. 13 maegashira Kitazakura kept pace with the leaders at 5-1 after an impressive win over ninth-ranked maegashira Higonoumi, who dropped to 3-3.

Also in the lead is No.4 maegashira Tokitsuumi who drove out seventh-ranked maegashira Kotoryu (3-3).

The sport's two other Mongolian-born wrestlers, however, had a tough day at the office.

No. 8 maegashira Kyokutenho, or Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, fell to his second loss in a showdown with Daizen (4-2) while sixth-ranked maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Batbayer Davaa, was muscled out by veteran grappler Oginishiki (4-2) to suffer his third loss.

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Results of main sumo bouts

TOKYO (AP) - Results of main bouts Friday, the sixth day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena:

Winners Losers

Aminishiki (4-2) Takatoriki (2-4)
Wakanoyama (3-3) Daishi (3-3)
Akinoshima (2-4) Wakatsutomu (1-5)
Kitazakura (5-1) Higonoumi (3-3)
Otsukasa (3-3) Hamanishiki (3-3)
Daizen (4-2) Kyokutenho (4-2)
Hayateumi (2-4) Chiyotenzan (3-3)
Oginishiki (4-2) Kyokushuzan (3-3)
Tochinonada (3-3) Toki (3-3)
Tokitsuumi (5-1) Kotoryu (3-3)
Tamakasuga (1-5) Takanonami (2-4)
Tamanoshima (2-4) Kaiho (3-3)
Kotomitsuki (5-1) Tochiazuma (4-2)
Dejima (3-3) Kotonowaka (2-4)
Chiyotaikai (3-3) Wakanosato (3-3)
Tosanoumi (2-4) Miyabiyama (2-4)
Musoyama (5-1) Takanowaka (3-3)
Asashoryu (5-1) Musashimaru (4-2)

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Juryo Division

Yotsukasa (2-4) Sentoryu (2-4)

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Saturday's main bouts:

Terao Wakatsutomu
Takatoriki Kobo
Hamanishiki Akinoshima
Chiyotenzan Kitazakura
Daishi Otsukasa
Higonoumi Aminishiki
Kyokutenho Oginishiki
Hayateumi Wakanoyama
Daizen Toki
Kyokushuzan Kotoryu
Kotomitsuki Tochinonada
Kotonowaka Tamakasuga
Wakanosato Tamanoshima
Takanonami Dejima
Tochiazuma Asashoryu
Musoyama Tosanoumi
Takanowaka Chiyotaikai
Tokitsuumi Miyabiyama
Musashimaru Kaiho

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Da Kine Sumo E-zine
Grand Sumo Home Page
Ozumo
CyberSumo.net
Kyodo News Service