Sumo
OSAKA, Japan >> Grand champion Asashoryu moved into a tie for the lead on Friday with a solid win over Kotomitsuki at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai
share lead at Spring sumoBy Associated Press
Fighting in the day’s final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Asashoryu got both arms around sekiwake Kotomitsuki and lifted him out to improve to 10-3. Kotomitsuki dropped to 5-8.
With two days left in the 15-day tournament, Mongolian Asashoryu, who is bidding for his third straight Emperor’s Cup, is tied with ozeki Chiyotaikai.
Chiyotaikai looked set to retain his lead when he came charging out of the blocks and drove ozeki Kaio back several steps.
But Kaio sidestepped the charging grappler, who stumbled to the dirt surface for his third loss. Kaio, meanwhile, improved to 9-4 and is very much in the running for the title.
In other major bouts, No. 9 maegashira Miyabiyama fell to 9-4 when he was forced out over the straw ridge by second-ranked maegashira Takamisakari, who picked up his seventh win.
Komusubi Dejima saw his title hopes all but vanish when he was thrown into the first row of seats by No. 5 maegashira Kaiho to drop to 8-5. Kaiho improved to 6-7.
Sekiwake Wakanosato marched out top maegashira Takanonami to stand at 8-5. Takanonami dropped to 7-6.
Mongolian Kyokutenho, also a top maegashira, slapped down Kotoryu to pick up his seventh win while handing the No. 5 maegashira his eighth loss.
Gojoro (8-5) Oginishiki (juryo) (7-6) - DAY 13 -
Kinkaiyama (5-8) Asasekiryu (4-9)
Akinoshima (5-8) Aminishiki (6-7)
Jumonji (8-5) Takanotsuru (4-9)
Kyokushuzan (8-5) Hokutoriki (8-5)
Kasugao (6-7) Kasuganishiki (4-9)
Tochinohana (4-9) Toki (4-9)
Tamarikido (7-6) Wakanoyama (3-10)
Kotonowaka (6-7) Buyuzan (7-6)
Takamisakari (7-6) Miyabiyama (9-4)
Tochinonada (8-5) Tokitsuumi (8-5) default
Kyokutenho (7-6) Kotoryu (5-8)
Tosanoumi (7-6) Tamanoshima (7-6)
Kaiho (6-7) Dejima (8-5)
Wakanosato (8-5) Takanonami (7-6)
Kaio (9-4) Chiyotaikai (10-3)
Asashoryu (10-3) Kotomitsuki (5-8)
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