Musashimaru, Tochiazuma
remain undefeated on
sixth day of sumo tourney

FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) - Hawaii-born yokozuna (grand champion) Musashimaru extended his undefeated streak with a win over lower-ranked Tamanoshima on Friday, the sixth day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo tournament.

Sekiwake (junior champion) Tochiazuma, seeking promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki (champion) also picked up his sixth win, as did a lower-ranked wrestler, No. 10 maegashira (senior wrestler) Hayateumi.

Musashimaru, also known as Fiamalu Penitani, struggled with No. 1 maegashira Tamanoshima for nearly two minutes before swinging around the smaller wrestler and lifting him out with an under-the-arms grip. Tamanoshima's record worsened to 1-5.

Tochiazuma had an easier time, dispatching komusubi (junior champion second class) Kaiho within seconds. Kaiho fell to 4-2.

No. 9 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, who had been undefeated going into the day's bout, collected his first loss of the tournament. Kyokushuzan lost his footing, falling belly first, as he tried to fend off Takanonami's arm thrusts. Both wrestlers are at 5-1.

Most top-ranked wrestlers improved their records.

Ozeki Musoyama No. 3 gained his fifth win in six bouts, overpowering a hapless lower-ranked Tokitsuumi. Tokitsuumi remains winless at 0-6.

Ozeki Dejima dispatched rising star sekiwake Kotomitsuki, leaving them both at 3-3. Dejima leapt at his opponent from the start, driving Kotomitsuki around the ring and then out. Kotomitsuki won the previous tournament in September.

Ozeki Kaio, thrown off-balance at the start, regained his footing to push out No. 1 maegashira Wakanosato. A spirited Wakanosato left himself vulnerable at the edge of the ring when his arm toss failed to budge Kaio, who won with a gentle push.

In other bouts, Hayateumi (6-0) grabbed No. 9 maegashira Higonoumi by the belt, lifting him up and out. Higonoumi's record is 3-3.

Komusubi Asashoryu took advantage of No. 2 maegashira Tosanoumi's slow footwork, winning his fourth bout. Asashoryu, or Mongolian Dolgorsvren Dagvadrj, send his bulkier opponent sprawling into the crowd with a quick shove from the front of the belt.

No. 2 maegashira Takanowaka remained winless after a defeat to Tochinonada (3-3).

No. 5 maegashira Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, easily shoved out Oginishiki, who was pulled forward and around by two firm yanks to the back of his neck. Kyokutenho was at 4-2, while Oginishiki was at 1-5.

Results of main sumo bouts

FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) - Results of main bouts Friday, the sixth day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center:

Winners -- Losers

Takatoriki (juryo) (2-4) -- Kobo (2-4)
Aminishiki (4-2) -- Asanowaka (juryo) (5-1)
Tamarikido (4-2) -- Hamanishiki (2-4)
Tochisakae (2-4) -- Buyuzan (3-3)
Kitazakura (3-3) -- Aogiyama (1-5)
Hayateumi (6-0) -- Higonoumi (3-3)
Takanonami (5-1) -- Kyokushuzan (5-1)
Otsukasa (3-3) -- Tamakasuga (2-4)
Wakanoyama (3-3) -- Daizen (1-5)
Chiyotenzan (3-3) -- Akinoshima (2-4)
Kyokutenho (4-2) -- Oginishiki (1-5)
Kotonowaka (4-2) -- Toki (4-2)
Tochinonada (3-3) -- Takanowaka (0-6)
Asashoryu (4-2) -- Tosanoumi (2-4)
Tochiazuma (6-0) -- Kaiho (4-2)
Dejima (3-3) -- Kotomitsuki (3-3)
Musoyama (5-1) -- Tokitsuumi (0-6)
Kaio (4-2) -- Wakanosato (1-5)
Musashimaru (6-0) -- Tamanoshima (1-5)

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Saturday's bouts

Kobo -- Tochisakae
Hamanishiki -- Aogiyama
Buyuzan -- Kitazakura
Tamarikido -- Hayateumi
Takanonami -- Aminishiki
Kyokushuzan -- Higonoumi
Wakanoyama -- Chiyotenzan
Oginishiki -- Otsukasa
Tamakasuga -- Toki
Daizen -- Akinoshima
Kyokutenho -- Dejima
Takanowaka -- Tokitsuumi
Tamanoshima -- Kaiho
Wakanosato -- Kotomitsuki
Tochiazuma -- Tosanoumi
Kaio -- Asashoryu
Musoyama -- Tochinonada
Musashimaru -- Kotonowaka

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