Kotomitsuki downs Kaiho
to capture autumn sumo title

TOKYO (AP) - Rising star Kotomitsuki overpowered fourth-ranked maegashira (senior wrestler) Kaiho Saturday to capture his first Emperor's Cup on the 14th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

After a false start, No. 2 maegashira Kotomitsuki grabbed Kaiho's belt and flipped him for the win. Kotomitsuki's record improved to 13-1, while Kaiho's slipped to 9-5.

"It's like a dream," said the 25-year-old Kotomitsuki at Ryogoku Sumo Arena. "I was nervous before the bout but I tried not think too much about it and just tried to stick to my brand of sumo."

Kotomitsuki has been the surprise of the tournament, eclipsing Yokozuna (grand champion) Musashimaru, who has had been lackluster. The tournament was also dealt a blow when three ozeki (champion) wrestlers were forced to pull out.

Kotomitsuki's victory took the drama out of later bouts with Tochiazuma and Musoyama, the only two wrestlers with any chance at a playoff with Kotomitsuki.

Ozeki Musoyama dropped to 10-4 when he was toppled by No. 8 maegashira Kyokutenho. Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, picked up his ninth win in 14 bouts.

Sekiwake (junior champion) Tochiazuma picked up his 11th win against Hayateumi (6-8). Tochiazuma wrapped both hands around the belt of Hayateumi and then threw the seventh-ranked maegashira over the ring's edge.

Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani of Hawaii, had his hands full with Wakanosato (6-8) but managed to turn the komusubi (junior champion second class) around and push him out from behind to pick up his ninth win.

No. 5 maegashira Tochinonada (7-7) handed Dejima his ninth loss when he threw down the struggling sekiwake at the edge of the ring. With his losing record, Dejima (5-9) faces demotion for the next tournament.

The tournament's other Mongolian-born wrestlers were also victorious Saturday.

Top maegashira Asashoryu, or Dolgorsvren Dagvadrj, downed fellow-No. 1 maegashira Kotonowaka (7-7) for his ninth win, while No. 5 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Batbayer Davaa, dodged Tamakasuga (4-10) at the face off to improve to 5-9.

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AUTUMN SUMO

TOKYO, Sept. 22 (Kyodo) - Results of makuuchi division bouts Saturday, the 14th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan (+ indicates juryo division wrestler):

Won Technique Lost

Daishi 4-10 yorikiri +Minatofuji 6-8
+Yotsukasa 6-8 oshidashi Wakatsutomu 3-11
Chiyotenzan 8-6 kotenage Takatoriki 6-8
Akinoshima 9-5 oshidashi Kitazakura 7-7
Otsukasa 7-7 yorikiri Oginishiki 7-7
Daizen 8-6 oshidashi Wakanoyama 8-6
Kotoryu 8-6 susoharai Aminishiki 7-7
Takanonami 5-9 yorikiri Higonoumi 5-9
Tokitsuumi 8-6 hikiotoshi Hamanishiki 8-6
Tosanoumi 7-7 oshidashi Toki 6-8
Kyokushuzan 5-9 hikiotoshi Tamakasuga 4-10
Kotomitsuki 13-1 shitatenage Kaiho 9-5
Asashoryu 9-5 kirikaeshi Kotonowaka 7-7
Takanowaka 7-7 yorikiri Tamanoshima 6-8
Tochiazuma 11-3 uwatenage Hayateumi 6-8
Tochinonada 7-7 makiotoshi Dejima 5-9
Kyokutenho 9-5 komatasukui Musoyama 10-4
Musashimaru 9-5 okuridashi Wakanosato 6-8

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Sunday's bouts

Kitazakura 1 - 0 Otsukasa
Higonoumi 8 - 10 Oginishiki
Takatoriki 7 - 5 Daizen
Wakanoyama 4 - 1 Kotoryu
Hamanishiki 0 - 1 Toki
Kyokushuzan 1 - 0 Wakatsutomu
Akinoshima 5 - 6 Tochinonada
Takanonami 5 - 0 Daishi
Chiyotenzan 2 - 2 Tamakasuga
Tosanoumi 1 - 0 Aminishiki
Hayateumi 1 - 1 Takanowaka
Kotomitsuki 1 - 0 Tokitsuumi
Kyokutenho 0 - 1 Asashoryu
Kotonowaka 5 - 2 Kaiho
Tamanoshima 0 - 1 Dejima
Musoyama 5 - 5 Wakanosato
Musashimaru 14 - 6 Tochiazuma

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