Sumo
TOKYO >> Yokozuna Takanohana never stood a chance against a rampaging Dejima on Saturday but ozeki Asashoryu put on another brilliant display of power and finesse to remain unbeaten at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Asashoryu wins again
to stand alone at 7-0
From staff and wire reports
The grand champion was obliterated by the third-rank maegashira and former ozeki, who quickly crushed his opponent out of the raised-ring in one belligerent and sweeping motion to hand him his second loss at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Takanohana, who reentered the meet on Thursday after hurting his shoulder, fell to a 4-2-1 record while Dejima and two rank-and-filers, at 6-1, stayed hot on the heels of tournament favorite Asashoryu, who continued to rule supreme at the 15-day meet.
The Mongolian hothead was momentarily backed up after he slammed into Takanowaka after the face-off but planted his feet firmly on the clay surface and never retreated.
Asashoryu then introduced Takanowaka (4-3) to a sideways wrist-twisting throw that left the sekiwake sprawled on the ground, keeping his record clean at 7-0.
At ozeki, a struggling Musoyama (3-4) bounced back from Friday's loss, swatting out fourth-ranked Aminishiki (1-6). The remaining ozeki -- Chiyotaikai, Kaio and Tochiazuma -- are all sitting out.
Top-ranked maegashira Tosanoumi (5-2) snapped Kotomitsuki's four-day winning streak, with a no-nonsense slap-down to leave the sekiwake at 4-3.
Elvis impersonator Toki got all shook up as he slipped to his seventh-straight loss, falling to komusubi Wakanosato (5-2).
Takamisakari (6-1), a ninth-ranked maegashira, pulverized 13th-ranked Otsukasa (3-4) to stay one off the pace. Fans delighted in his wild facial expressions and chest-banging antics before the bout.
Eighth-ranked Kotoryu (6-1) slapped down makuuchi debutant Kasugao from South Korea to hand him his second loss after the 14th-ranked grappler lost his balance on the retreat.
Day 7
Won Technique Lost Tamarikido 5-2 hatakikomi +Asasekiryu 5-2 +Aogiyama 4-3 hatakikomi Tochinohana 3-4 Kasuganishiki 3-4 oshidashi Kobo 4-3 Tochinonada 3-4 yorikiri Jumonji 1-6 Takamisakari 6-1 yorikiri Otsukasa 3-4 Kotoryu 6-1 uwatenage Kasugao 5-2 Takanotsuru 5-2 yorikiri Shimotori 3-4 Wakanoyama 3-4 hatakikomi Akinoshima 1-6 Gojoro 4-3 oshidashi Hokutoriki 3-4 Iwakiyama 4-3 yorikiri Kyokushuzan 3-4 Tamanoshima 4-3 yoritaoshi Kaiho 4-3 Tokitsuumi 3-4 shitatedashinage Kotonowaka 2-5 Wakanosato 5-2 oshidashi Toki 0-7 Kyokutenho 4-3 yorikiri Takanonami 4-3 Tosanoumi 5-2 hatakikomi Kotomitsuki 4-3 Musoyama 3-4 okuridashi Aminishiki 1-6 Asashoryu 7-0 makiotoshi Takanowaka 4-3 Dejima 6-1 watashikomi Takanohana 4-2-1
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