Asashoryu starts reign
with win over Tosanoumi

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Associated Press Writer

Mongolian Asashoryu, who became sumo's 68th yokozuna after the last tournament, began his time at the top with a win over Tosanoumi at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament today.

Asashoryu beat Tosanoumi for the seventh time in nine tries, slapping him down with a hatakikomi.

The newest grand champion has started his last five tournaments perfect after two days and will be looking to extend the streak against Takanonami tomorrow. Takanonami beat Musoyama yesterday but has only beaten Asashoryu twice in eight tries.

Asashoryu is the only yokozuna in the tournament because Musashimaru, or Hawaii's Fiamalu Penitani, is sitting out the tournament with a torn tendon in his left wrist that has been slow to heal.

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Results

OSAKA, March 9 (Kyodo) -- Results of makuuchi-division bouts for Sunday, the first day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium (+ indicates juryo-division wrestler):

Won		Technique	Loss
+Komahikari	1-0	oshidashi	Tochinohana	0-1
Jumonji	1-0	oshidashi	Gojoro	0-1
Kasuganishiki	1-0	oshidashi	Takekaze	0-1
Kinkaiyama	1-0	yorikiri	Akinoshima	0-1
Hokutoriki	1-0	tsukidashi	Tamarikido	0-1
Buyuzan	1-0	oshidashi	Asasekiryu	0-1
Aminishiki	1-0	uwatedashinage	Miyabiyama	0-1
Tokitsuumi	1-0	shitatedashinage	Takanotsuru	0-1
Kyokushuzan	1-0	hikiotoshi	Kasugao	0-1
Iwakiyama	1-0	oshitaoshi	Toki	0-1
Kotoryu	1-0	yorikiri	Kaiho	0-1
Tamanoshima	1-0	shitatehineri	Wakanoyama	0-1
Dejima	1-0	sotogake	Kotonowaka	0-1
Wakanosato	1-0	oshidashi	Shimotori	0-1
Kotomitsuki	1-0	oshidashi	Takamisakari	0-1
Tochinonada	1-0	yorikiri	Kaio	0-1
Chiyotaikai	1-0	yorikiri	Kyokutenho	0-1
Takanonami	1-0	okuridashi	Musoyama	0-1
Asashoryu	1-0	hatakikomi	Tosanoumi	0-1

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