Sumo
TOKYO (AP) - Rising star Kotomitsuki had his hands full Friday but held on for an impressive win over Wakanosato to remain undefeated and tied for the lead after six days of the New Year's Grand Sumo Tournament. Co-leader Kotomitsuki picks
up solid win at New Year sumoFacing his toughest challenge of the tournament, sekiwake (junior champion) Kotomitsuki fought off a series of arm throws and forced Wakanosato to the edge where he used his weight to topple his opponent and improve to 6-0 in the 15-day tourney.
Komusubi (junior champion second class) Wakanosato looked set for an upset win when he got a hold of Kotomitsuki's belt near the end of the bout. However, he couldn't finish the job and dropped to 4-2.
Newly promoted ozeki (champion) Tochiazuma faced little resistance from Takanonami (4-2) in picking up his sixth win. Tochiazuma came in low out of the face off and drove the No. 3 maegashira (senior wrestler) over the straw ridge without breaking a sweat.
Ozeki Chiyotaikai, who needs a winning record in this tourney to avoid demotion, exchanged a series of arm thrusts with Toki (2-4) and then waltzed the towering No. 2 maegashira out to remain tied for the lead with Tochiazuma and Kotomitsuki.
In the day's biggest upset, No. 2 maegashira Tamanoshima knocked ozeki Musoyama off balance for his first victory. Musoyama now stands at a modest record of 3-3.
Top maegashira Akinoshima picked up his first victory when he swatted Asashoryu, or Mongolian Dolgorsvren Dagvadri, down after being pushed back several feet by the sekiwake, who dropped to 3-3.
The woes continued for fellow Mongolian Kyokushuzan, or Batbayer Davaa. The top maegashira was shoved out by ozeki Kaio (4-2) in a matter of seconds to suffer his fifth loss of the tourney.
Further down the ranks, No. 15 maegashira Sentoryu, or American Henry Armstrong Miller, was shoved out by No. 12 maegashira Asanowaka. In the Juryo division, Kuniazuma, or Brazilian Vander Ramos, overpowered Takatoriki (3-3) to improve to 4-2.
RESULTS OF MAIN SUMO BOUTS
TOKYO (AP) - Results of main bouts Friday, the sixth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena:
WINNERS LOSERS Oginishiki (3-3) Kitazakura (juryo) (2-4) Hamanishiki (5-1) Wakanoyama (3-3) Asanowaka (1-5) Sentoryu (3-3) Tochisakae (5-1) Aminishiki (3-3) Tamarikido (2-4) Jumonji (2-4) Tokitsuumi (3-3) Buyuzan (4-2) Daizen (2-4) Oikari (2-4) Tosanoumi (5-1) Tamakasuga (4-2) Kotonowaka (1-5) Kobo (1-5) Tochinonada (5-1) Chiyotenzan (3-3) Dejima (3-3) Otsukasa (2-4) Kyokutenho (1-5) Kaiho (2-4) Kotomitsuki (6-0) Wakanosato (4-2) Akinoshima (1-5) Asashoryu (3-3) Kaio (4-2) Kyokushuzan (1-5) Tochiazuma (6-0) Takanonami (4-2) Chiyotaikai (6-0) Toki (2-4) Tamanoshima (1-5) Musoyama (3-3) JURYO DIVISION
Kuniazuma (4-2) Takatoriki (3-3) SATURDAY'S MAIN BOUTS
Towanoyama (juryo) Jumonji Sentoryu Oikari Tokitsuumi Wakanoyama Oginishiki Kobo Asanowaka Daizen Buyuzan Tochisakae Tosanoumi Hamanishiki Tochinonada Aminishiki Tamarikido Kotonowaka Tamakasuga Dejima Chiyotenzan Otsukasa Wakanosato Akinoshima Takanonami Asashoryu Kotomitsuki Kyokushuzan Kaiho Musoyama Kaio Toki Tamanoshima Tochiazuma Chiyotaikai Kyokutenho
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