Musashimaru, Tochiazuma
retain lead with wins on
seventh day of sumo tourney

FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) - Hawaiian-born yokozuna (grand champion) Musashimaru and sekiwake (junior champion) Tochiazuma got a win apiece to retain the lead on Saturday, the seventh day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo tournament.

Both wrestlers have a perfect 7-0 record. Lower-ranked No. 10 maegashira (senior wrestler) Hayateumi also remained undefeated after beating Tamarikido (4-3).

Once again, the lumbering Musashimaru, also known as Fiamalu Penitani, labored to finish off a weaker opponent - this time, No. 4 maegashira Kotonowaka. After a lengthy melee at the center, Musashimaru grasped the back of Kotonowaka's belt with both hands and slowly forced out the smaller wrestler. Kotonowaka dropped to 4-3.

Tochiazuma, meanwhile, improved his chances of promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki (champion) by outmuscling No. 2 maegashira Tosanoumi, who fell to 2-5. With a strong arm toss, Tochiazumi flipped Tosanoumi off his feet and onto his back for the win.

Ozeki Kaio bulldozed komusubi (junior champion second class) Asashoryu to go 5-2. Asashoryu (4-3) went crashing down when his toss near the edge of the ring backfired.

But for many of the top-ranked wrestlers, it was a day of upsets.

Ozeki Musoyama was handed his second loss of the tournament by lower-ranked No. 4 maegashira Tochinonada (4-3). After a clash at the center, Tochinonada ushered Musoyama, off-balance and hopping on one leg, out of the ring.

No. 1 maegashira Wakanosato surprised sekiwake Kotomitsuki with a quick sidestep and a thrust to the back. Kotomitsuki, carried by his own momentum, went diving into dirt.

No. 5 maegashira Kyokutenho upset higher-ranked No. 3 maegashira Dejima, to post his fifth win in seven bouts. As he stepped back toward the edge, Kyokutenho pulled Dejima around to the right and flipped him into the dirt. Dejima slid to 3-4.

In other bouts, No. 9 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, collected his sixth win in seven matchups to stay just behind the leaders. Kyokushuzan appeared to be headed out, but tripped up No. 13 maegashira Higonoumi with a last-second lunge at Higonoumi's leg.

Results of main sumo bouts

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

WINNERS -- LOSERS
Kobo (3-4) -- Tochisakae (2-5)
Aogiyama (2-5) -- Hamanishiki (2-5)
Buyuzan (4-3) -- Kitazakura (3-4)
Hayateumi (7-0) -- Tamarikido (4-3)
Takanonami (6-1) -- Aminishiki (4-3)
Kyokushuzan (6-1) -- Higonoumi (3-4)
Wakanoyama (4-3) -- Chiyotenzan (3-4)
Otsukasa (4-3) -- Oginishiki (1-6)
Toki (5-2) -- Tamakasuga (2-5)
Daizen (2-5) -- Akinoshima (2-5)
Kyokutenho (5-2) -- Dejima (3-4)
Takanowaka (1-6) -- Tokitsuumi (0-7)
Tamanoshima (2-5) -- Kaio (4-3)
Wakanosato (2-5) -- Kotomitsuki (3-4)
Tochiazuma (7-0) -- Tosanoumi (2-5)
Kaiho (5-2) -- Asashoryu (4-3)
Tochinonada (4-3) -- Musoyama (5-2)
Musashimaru (7-0) -- Kotonowaka (4-3)

JURYO:
Asanowaka (6-1) -- Takatoriki (2-5)

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

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