Sumo
FUKUOKA, Nov. 23 (Kyodo) - Newly-crowned champion Asashoryu on Saturday squashed fellow ozeki Tochiazuma and boosted his chances of promotion to yokozuna with a 13th win on the penultimate day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. Asashoryu wins 13th
with 1 day remainingStar-Bulletin wire services
The fiery ozeki from Ulan Bator, who became the first Mongolian ever to win the Emperor's Cup when he secured the title on Friday, was given a rough ride by Tochiazuma but prevailed with a clever pull-down to move to 13-1 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Tochiazuma (8-6), who bounced back from four early defeats to stave off relegation from his ozeki rank, came out strongly at the face-off as he worked Asashoryu to the edge of the ring with a combination of fierce slaps and thrusts.
But Asashoryu weathered the early storm and when Tochiazuma dived in low, the Mongolian spotted an opening and sent his opponent to the floor with a well-executed pulling arm throw for the win.
With the victory, Asashoryu took a major step toward qualifying for promotion to sumo's ultimate rank of yokozuna after the New Year meet.
Ozeki Musoyama warmed up for his appointment with Asashoryu on the final day of the meet Sunday with a comfortable win over struggling sekiwake Wakanosato.
Musoyama (10-4) burst out of his crouch and quickly sent Wakanosato hurtling over the straw bales. Wakanosato slumped to his eighth loss and faces demotion from his rank for the New Year tournament.
In other bouts, sekiwake Kotomitsuki outfoxed sixth-ranked maegashira Tochinonada (6-8) by sidestepping him at the face-off to move within one win of a winning record.
New komusubi and local favorite Takanowaka scored his 10th win of the tournament by forcing out No. 2 maegashira Hokutoriki (5-9) and Mongolian komusubi Kyokutenho (6-8) muscled out third-ranked Tamanoshima (4-10).
Injury-plagued yokozuna Takanohana is set to resume training next month in a bid to return to the raised ring for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, stable master Futagoyama said Saturday.
"He is undergoing treatment and we are hoping to get him back in training at the start of next month," said Futagoyama.
Takanohana's right knee flared up after the autumn meet, forcing him to pull out of the ongoing Kyushu basho in Fukuoka two days before it kicked off.
The grand champion returned to the ring in September after missing the last seven tournaments because of the knee injury, and marked an impressive 12 wins behind yokozuna Musashimaru, who claimed his 12th Emperor's Cup with a 13-2 record.
Takanohana tore ligaments in his right knee when he won his 22nd Emperor's Cup in May 2001 and the rehabilitation process has taken longer than expected.
Day 14
(+ denotes juryo-division wrestler):
Won Technique Lost +Otsukasa 9-5 tsukiotoshi Asanowaka 5-9 +Kinkaiyama 7-7 yorikiri Aogiyama 5-9 Akinoshima 9-5 yorikiri Tamarikido 6-8 Jumonji 8-6 kimedashi +Kobo 8-6 Tochinohana 6-8 yorikiri +Komahikari 7-7 Iwakiyama 9-5 uwatenage Toki 9-5 Wakanoyama 7-7 yorikiri Tokitsuumi 8-6 Kyokushuzan 7-7 kotenage Kaiho 7-7 Shimotori 7-7 okuridashi Dejima 9-5 Kotonowaka 9-5 oshidashi Gojoro 4-10 Tamakasuga 2-12 hikiotoshi Buyuzan 3-11 Miyabiyama 7-7 oshidashi Kotoryu 7-7 Takanonami 9-5 kotenage Aminishiki 9-5 Tosanoumi 7-7 hikiotoshi Takamisakari 5-9 Kyokutenho 6-8 yorikiri Tamanoshima 4-10 Takanowaka 10-4 yorikiri Hokutoriki 5-9 Kotomitsuki 7-7 hatakikomi Tochinonada 6-8 Asashoryu 13-1 uwatedashinage Tochiazuma 8-6 Musoyama 10-4 oshidashi Wakanosato 6-8
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