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Injury sidelines
Musashimaru


FUKUOKA, Nov. 15 (Kyodo) -- Yokozuna Musashimaru withdrew from the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday after aggravating a wrist injury earlier in the meet.

The grand champion damaged ligaments in his left wrist in the buildup to the tourney and the injury worsened during his bout with No. 3 maegashira Tamakasuga at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Tuesday.

After suffering his first defeat of the tournament to top-ranked maegashira Takanonami on Thursday, the yokozuna's stable decided Musashimaru could not continue.

"He really wanted to carry on through to the end of the tourney, but he wouldn't be able to compete without using his left arm. He probably needs surgery on his wrist," said stablemaster Musashigawa.

Musashimaru has won three tournaments this year and is the defending Emperor's Cup champion after recording his 12th career victory at the autumn meet.

Musashimaru, who forfeits Friday's bout with komusubi Takanowaka and leaves with a 4-2 record, is the third big name to leave the meet.

Fellow yokozuna Takanohana pulled out days before the start when his chronic knee injury deteriorated and ozeki Kaio had to sit out after tearing a tendon in his arm on the third day.

No yokozuna will compete in the meet for the first time since this year's New Year tournament.

Meanwhile, winless 12th-ranked maegashira Tochisakae has also pulled out after suffering an ankle injury. He forfeits his bout with No. 9 maegashira Wakanoyama and leaves the meet with a 0-6 record.


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Ozeki Asashoryu
stays unbeaten



FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) -- Ozeki Asashoryu tripped up Takanonami Friday to extend his unbeaten streak and retain the lead at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in southern Japan, as yokozuna Musashimaru became the latest injured wrestler to pull out.

Asashoryu, the only Mongolian ever to reach sumo's second-highest rank, gained his sixth win in as many matches at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, quickly dispatching top-ranked maegashira Takanonami with a leg sweep. Takanonami fell to 4-2.

In a shock announcement Friday, Musashimaru said he could no longer continue after aggravating a wrist injury he picked up during his run to the championship at the previous tournament in September.

"It is extremely painful," the Samoan-born wrestler told reporters. "I decided to sit out after consulting with my stablemaster."

With Musashimaru's withdrawal, both yokozunas are now out of the competition. Takanohana is sidelined with a nagging knee injury, following his brief return from surgery in September.

Trailing leader Asashoryu with one loss were ozekis Chiyotaikai and Musoyama and Akinoshima, a No. 14 maegashira.

Chiyotaikai easily shoved out komusubi Kyokutenho to go 5-1. Mongolian Kyokutenho suffered his third loss.

In other major bouts on Friday, ozeki Musoyama barrelled over Tamanoshima to notch his fifth win. The No. 3-ranked maegashira remains winless.

Struggling ozeki Tochiazuma knocked down No. 2 maegashira Hokutoriki to pick up his second win. Tochiazuma needs to win at least eight matches or faces demotion to sekiwake, sumo's third-highest rank.

It was Hokutoriki's fifth loss.

Earlier, Mongolian Kyokushuzan was carried out of the straw ring by No. 6 maegashira Kotoryu. Kyokushuzan fell to 2-4, while Kotoryu improved to 3-3.


Results

Won
Technique Lost

Tamarikido 4-2 okuridashi Aogiyama 2-4

Akinoshima 5-1 yorikiri Tochinohana 1-5

Asanowaka 3-3 hikiotoshi Buyuzan 1-5

Dejima 4-2 yorikiri Jumonji 4-2

Kotonowaka 3-3 uwatenage Iwakiyama 3-3

Wakanoyama 3-3 default Tochisakae 0-6

Toki 4-2 oshidashi Ushiomaru 3-3

Kotoryu 3-3 tsuridashi Kyokushuzan 2-4

Shimotori 4-2 tsukidashi Aminishiki 4-2

Takamisakari 4-2 uwatenage Tokitsuumi 3-3

Tochinonada 4-2 yoritaoshi Gojoro 2-4

Kaiho 3-3 oshitaoshi Tamakasuga 0-6

Tosanoumi 3-3 oshidashi Wakanosato 1-5

Kotomitsuki 3-3 hatakikomi Miyabiyama 3-3

Tochiazuma 2-4 hikiotoshi Hokutoriki 1-5

Musoyama 5-1 tsukidashi Tamanoshima 0-6

Asashoryu 6-0 kirikaeshi Takanonami 4-2

Chiyotaikai 5-1 yorikiri Kyokutenho 3-3

Takanowaka 4-2 default Musashimaru 4-2

Saturday's bouts

Buyuzan 1 - 1 Aogiyama

Akinoshima 0 - 1 Ushiomaru

Asanowaka 1 - 6 Wakanoyama

Kotonowaka 1 - 0 Tamarikido

Jumonji 3 - 2 Aminishiki

Dejima 2 - 2 Tokitsuumi

Toki 2 - 0 Tochinohana

Iwakiyama 0 - 0 Kotoryu

Tochinonada 3 - 3 Kaiho

Kyokushuzan 3 - 2 Gojoro

Takamisakari 2 - 2 Shimotori

Tamakasuga 3 - 9 Takanowaka

Takanonami 4 - 2 Kotomitsuki

Wakanosato 2 - 2 Tamanoshima

Hokutoriki 0 - 1 Chiyotaikai

Tochiazuma 12 - 12 Tosanoumi

Kyokutenho 4 - 7 Musoyama

Asashoryu 5 - 2 Miyabiyama



For more sumo information online, try:
Sumo Web
Da Kine Sumo E-zine
Grand Sumo Home Page
Ozumo
CyberSumo.net
Kyodo News Service


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