Asashoryu suffers his
first loss as yokozuna

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Associated Press

Kyokutenho beat yokozuna Asashoryu by kakenage (hooking inner thigh throw) today at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, handing the newly named grand champion his first defeat since being promoted to sumo's highest rank.

Jumonji, Kotoryu and Chiyotaikai are tied for first place at 3-0.

It was Kyokutenho's first-ever win against Asashoryu in six tries, going back to 2001.

Asashoryu, the sport's 68th yokozuna, had started his previous four tournaments perfect after three days.

Kasuganishiki, Kinkaiyama, Hokutoriki, Kyokushuzan and Wakanosato also lost to fall out of the ranks of the unbeaten.

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

Won		Technique	Lost
Jumonji	3-0	yorikiri	+Kobo	1-2
Takekaze	1-2	tsukiotoshi	Tochinohana	0-3
Gojoro	2-1	tsukidashi	Akinoshima	0-3
Asasekiryu	1-2	oshidashi	Kasuganishiki	2-1
Miyabiyama	2-1	yorikiri	Kinkaiyama	2-1
Tamarikido	2-1	yorikiri	Aminishiki	1-2
Takanotsuru	2-1	oshidashi	Hokutoriki	2-1
Tokitsuumi	2-1	yorikiri	Buyuzan	1-2
Kaiho	1-2	hikiotoshi	Kyokushuzan	2-1
Kotoryu	3-0	sukuinage	Kasugao	0-3
Kotonowaka	1-2	yorikiri	Toki	1-2
Iwakiyama	2-1	yorikiri	Shimotori	1-2
Dejima	2-1	oshidashi	Takanonami	1-2
Tamanoshima	2-1	hatakikomi	Wakanosato	2-1
Kotomitsuki	2-1	hatakikomi	Wakanoyama	1-2
Chiyotaikai	3-0	oshidashi	Tochinonada	1-2
Takamisakari	1-2	uwatenage	Musoyama	0-3
Kaio	2-1	hikiotoshi	Tosanoumi	1-2
Kyokutenho	2-1	kakenage	Asashoryu	2-1

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