2016 Kyushu Basho.

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Kyushu Day 1: Goeido, Hakuho win on opening day

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Created on Sunday, 13 November 2016 11:28
Written by Kyodo

Ozeki Goeido had a small scare during his bout with Tochiozan on Sunday but got off to a winning start on the opening day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, while yokozuna Hakuho showed a strong comeback after missing the September meet due to injuries.

Goeido, who won the Autumn tourney with a perfect 15-0 record and is looking for promotion to the highest rank of yokozuna, made a strong drive toward Tochiozan and looked like he might lose balance at one point when his opponent tried to sidestep the ozeki's charge but held on as he pushed the top maegashira out of the ring.

Hakuho thrusted Okinoumi downward by the shoulders at midring as the nervous sekiwake, who had made two false starts, was helpless against the grand champion at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Hakuho now has a 17-1 record against Okinoumi.

In the last two matchups both between a Mongolian yokozuna and a komusubi, Kakuryu chased Mitakeumi around and off the dohyo while Harumafuji suffered a stunning defeat to Tamawashi and his powerful thrusts.

"I was just thinking about going forward. It was good," said Tamawashi, who returned to the fourth-highest rank of komusubi for the first time in 10 tourneys. "I hope to post a winning record here as I've always done so at a Kyushu basho."

Two other ozeki also started the 15-day meet with wins, with Kisenosato edging out top-ranked maegashira Aoiyama and Kotoshogiku needing only seconds to dispose of No. 2 maegashira Kaisei.

But Mongolian ozeki Terunofuji, who may be demoted if he performs poorly here as he finished the last tourney in September with a 4-11 record, fell to the tiny second-ranked maegashira Yoshikaze.

Yoshikaze, standing 176 centimeters tall, grabbed the 192-cm Terunofuji by the mawashi and literally lifted him over the ring's edge.

Sekiwake Takayasu, who has a chance of promotion to ozeki if he can get 12 wins at Kyushu, defeated No. 3 maegashira Endo with commanding shoves. Takayasu is set to meet Goeido on Monday.

In other bouts, No. 3 maegashira Shodai, who hails from Kyushu main island's Kumamoto Prefecture which is recovering after being hit by powerful earthquakes this spring, marched fourth-ranked Kotoyuki off the ring.

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Day 2: of the toprankers, both yokozuna Kakuryu and Hakuho are undefeated as are ozeki Goeido and Kisenosato. Ozeki Terunofuji looks doomed already, needing 8 wins this time to avoid demotion and already 0-2 down.

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Kyushu Day 2: Yokozuna-chasing Goeido eases past Takayasu

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Created on Monday, 14 November 2016 19:11
Written by Kyodo

Promotion-chasing ozeki Goeido made it two out of two at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday, thrusting down sekiwake Takayasu in seconds to continue his comfortable start.

Goeido, who won his first championship two months ago at the Autumn tourney and will reach the highest rank of yokozuna with a title here, barged in head on with Takayasu and the sekiwake came off second best before he lost his footing.

Takayasu, who still holds a 12-8 career record against Goeido, is gunning for 12 wins here at Fukuoka Kokusai Center to reach ozeki himself, having won 10 and 11 bouts in his last two tourneys.

Yokozuna Hakuho (2-0) had some nervy moments against No. 1 maegashira Aoiyama (0-2) as the Bulgarian's powerful push saw the Mongolian retreat initially toward the edge of the ring.

But Aoiyama slipped after a shove from Hakuho as the bout ended prematurely. Hakuho made it 17-1 in their head-to-head record, and now sits one short of his 1,000th career win.

Harumafuji had suffered a first-day defeat but showed no signs of hangover, moving slightly to left on his initial charge to grab an overarm belt hold before sending Brazilian No. 2 maegashira Kaisei (0-2) sprawling, making it 16-0 in their career matchups.

Yokozuna Kakuryu (2-0) dispatched a tricky opponent in first-ranked maegashira Tochiozan (0-2), who after an even opening grasped the Mongolian's mawashi belt with both hands but stalled. Kakuryu countered and swiftly carried him out of the ring, making it 22-21 to his favor in their career meetings.

Ozeki Kisenosato (2-0) had a comprehensive win, wrapping his left arm around Tamawashi, who defeated Harumafuji a day earlier, before taking him over the straw bales to make it seven out of seven against the komusubi.

Local favorite Kotoshogiku suffered his first defeat, a weak charge allowing Mitakeumi to push the Fukuoka native ozeki toward the edge before executing his under-shoulder wing down to perfection, getting his first win in the fourth-highest rank of komusubi.

Mongolian Terunofuji, who needs a winning record here to stay on as ozeki, saw his struggle continue as he lacked ideas and fell to his second straight defeat after getting grappled out by No. 3 maegashira Endo (1-1).

Sekiwake Okinoumi (1-1) endured thrusts from second-ranked maegashira Yoshikaze (1-1) before forcing him out.

Makuuchi debutant Ishiura, a 15th-ranked maegashira, earned his first win in the top division, covering his lack of size with swift movement in dodging and flooring Georgian No. 16 maegashira Gagamaru (0-2).

Another newcomer Hokutofuji, a No. 11 maegashira, lost his first, letting 10th-ranked Arawashi (2-0) grab a firm overarm belt hold before getting grappled out in a whirlwind encounter.

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Kyushu Day 3: Hakuho notches 1,000th win, Goeido keeps pace

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Created on Tuesday, 15 November 2016 12:33
Written by Kyodo

Hakuhuo © Kyodo

Yokozuna Hakuho reached a milestone Tuesday, picking up his 1,000th career win by defeating No. 2 maegashira Kaisei on the third day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Ozeki Goeido also kept the pace, thrusting second-ranked maegashira Yoshikaze down onto his knees with a side throw for a 3-0 record, which he shares with Hakuho, yokozuna Kakuryu and four other grapplers in the maegashira ranks.

In the day's final bout, Hakuho and Kaisei got into a tussle in a bear hug before the grand champion delivered a strong arm throw, sending the winless Brazilian twirling down onto the ground at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

"I went into the bout with just the right amount of nerves," said Hakuho who now has a 10-0 record against Kaisei. "I couldn't achieve (the 1,000 wins) at the Nagoya and Autumn basho, but I was finally able to do it."

Hakuho had finished the Nagoya tourney in July with a 10-5 record and sat out the entire Autumn meet two months ago with injuries.

The 31-year-old Mongolian is the third sumo wrestler to collect 1,000 wins, following in the footsteps of the late former yokozuna Chiyonofuji, who ended his career with 1,045 wins, and former ozeki Kaio, who had a total of 1,047 victories.

"Two great sumo wrestlers had reached 1,000 wins, and of them, I had fought against Kaio on the dohyo and thought it was amazing when he achieved the feat (in 2010). At that time, I never thought I would be the third one," Hakuho said.

When asked about prospects of surpassing Kaio in total wins, he said, "For now, I want to aim for my 1,001st win."

Goeido, who won the Autumn tourney for his first-ever championship, remained on course toward promotion to the highest rank of yokozuna as he delivered powerful thrusts against Yoshikaze, looking visibly surprised when his opponent suddenly fell onto his knees.

Goeido evened his career record against Yoshikaze to 9-9.

Kakuryu needed a little time against top maegashira Aoiyama, but eventually edged the Bulgarian giant out of the ring to his third loss in a row, while fellow Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji picked up his second straight win after heaving off top maegashira Tochiozan (0-3).

Ozeki Terunofuji, who may be demoted without a winning record at the Kyushu tourney, got his first win as he edged out sekiwake Okinoumi (1-2).

No. 3 maegashira Endo (2-1) bulldozed out Kisenosato to hand the ozeki his first loss here while beating a second-ranked grappler for a second consecutive day. Endo won for the second time against Kisenosato in their fifth meeting.

Komusubi Tamawashi (2-1) beat ozeki Kotoshogiku (1-2), while sekiwake Takayasu (2-1) wrapped his arm around Mitakeumi's neck and threw the komusubi down to his second loss.

Among rank-and-filers, No. 3 maegashira Shodai, seventh-ranked Takekaze, eighth-ranked Ikioi and 14th-ranked Sokokurai remain undefeated after three days.

Shodai downed No. 5 maegashira Shohozan (1-2), Takekaze defeated fifth-ranked Takarafuji (2-1), Ikioi pulled down ninth-ranked Kagayaki (1-2) and Sokokurai beat No. 11 newcomer Hokutofuji (1-2).

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Kyushu Day 4: Goeido remains among 4 unbeatens

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Created on Wednesday, 16 November 2016 11:30
Written by Kyodo

Ozeki Goeido continued on course for a possible promotion to yokozuna with an easy win Wednesday, keeping him among four wrestlers with perfect records after four days at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Goeido carried the day against 23-year-old komusubi Mitakeumi with a terrific opening charge that swept the youngster back to the straw bales and over for a quick victory in the 15-day event at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

A day after securing his 1,000th victory, yokozuna Hakuho (4-0) also had little time to sweat in a nearly effortless win over komusubi Tamawashi (2-2).

The Mongolian grand champion stood his opponent up on the tachiai and let the komusubi make the next move. Tamawashi recoiled briefly and advanced on the yokozuna's right shoulder, but Hakuho pivoted backward on his left foot, grabbed the komusubi's arm and sent him twisting downward to defeat.

Yokozuna Kakuryu defended his perfect record in clinical fashion. Following his Mongolian compatriot Hakuho to the raised ring, Kakuryu got inside of Kaisei's arms on the charge, grabbed the front of the Brazilian's belt and levered the second-ranked maegashira out to his fourth defeat.

Harumafuji just barely managed to remain one win back of his yokozuna brethren with a lucky defeat of huge Bulgarian Aoiyama.

The match between the diminutive yokozuna and the top-ranked maegashira appeared to be stalemated until Aoiyama (0-4) executed a nifty underarm throw. Unfortunately he collapsed backward as his left knee buckled under him with Harumafuji on top.

Ozeki Terunofuji evened his record at 2-2, forcing out previously unbeaten No. 3 maegashira Shodai.

Veteran ozeki Kisenosato earned his 24th career victory over top-ranked maegashira Tochiozan (0-4), controlling the process from start to frontal force-out finish, to improve to 3-1.

Ozeki Kotoshogiku crashed down in a heartbeat, suffering his third defeat thanks to a deft move on the tachiai by No. 3 maegashira Endo (3-1).

Kotoshogiku charged into his opponent on the tachiai but without enough energy to budge him. He then flubbed his lines, standing there without a clue as Endo shifted his weight to his right and slapped the ozeki down to his left.

Sokokurai, a Chinese citizen from Inner Mongolia, defeated fellow No. 14 maegashira Chiyotairyu (2-2) to remain unbeaten.

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Kyushu Day 5: Promotion-chasing Goeido toughs out 5th win to stay perfect

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Created on Thursday, 17 November 2016 11:45
Written by Kyodo

Yokozuna hopeful Goeido kept his eyes on the prize and muscled out winless No. 1 maegashira Aoiyama on Thursday to preserve his share of the lead a third of the way through the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

After chants of "Goeido" reverberated around Fukuoka Kokusai Center, the ozeki was given an early test by the plucky Aoiyama. But he dug in deep and sent the Bulgarian out with a two-handed shove to stay in a four-way tie at 5-0 with Mongolian yokozuna pair Hakuho and Kakuryu and rank-and-filer Sokokurai.

Goeido is in with a shot of reaching sumo's top rank after a stunning maiden title win at the Autumn meet in September, when he went 15-0 despite wrestling with his rank on the line.

Back on the ring after injuries forced him out of the Autumn basho, Hakuho was all business in the day's penultimate bout, easily thrusting down top-ranked Tochiozan (0-5).

Kakuryu rounded off the day's action by yanking out sekiwake Okinoumi (1-4).

The other Mongolian grand champion, Harumafuji (4-1), had little trouble in dealing with Endo (3-2), grabbing the third-ranked maegashira by the throat and sending him over the straw bales.

Goeido also completed a clean sweep for ozeki wrestlers after Terunofuji, Kotoshogiku and Kisenosato also won.

Mongolian Terunofuji bumped out komusubi Mitakeumi (1-4) to post a comfortable third win, while New Year champion Kotoshogiku shoved second-ranked maegashira Yoshikaze (1-4) off the ring to improve to 2-3.

Veteran Kisenosato (4-1) moved to 11-0 in his head-to-head record against Kaisei (0-5), pulling the Brazilian-born No. 2 maegashira down after he had forced his way back from the edge of the ring.

At sumo's third-highest rank of sekiwake, Takayasu fell two wins off the pace when komusubi Tamawashi (3-2) sent him sprawling to the dirt with a well-worked armlock throw.

In the lower echelons of the makuuchi division, Chinese No. 14 maegashira Sokokurai forced out 11th-ranked Kyokushuho to keep his place among the leading group.

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Kyushu Day 6: Yokozuna hopeful Goeido, Hakuho crash to 1st defeat in Kyushu

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Created on Friday, 18 November 2016 14:11
Written by Kyodo

Goeido's hopes of promotion to yokozuna suffered a blow when Tamawashi sentenced the ozeki to his first defeat of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.

Returning grand champion and joint overnight leader Hakuho also suffered an upset, leaving Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu in sole possession of the lead at 6-0 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Goeido was on the back foot from the charge after komusubi Tamawashi (4-2) steamed in with the first of two strong head butts, the second leaving the ozeki with a bleeding forehead.

Goeido never looked like finding a way back into the bout and Tamawashi finished the job when he thrust him down to the sandy surface.

Goeido's and Hakuho's defeats dropped them into an eight-way tie for second place.

Tamawashi kicked off his tournament with a win over Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji, and his victory over Goeido was his second against an ozeki, having beaten Kotoshogiku on Tuesday.

Goeido is aiming to reach sumo's top rank after a stunning maiden title win at the Autumn meet in September, when he went 15-0 despite wrestling with his rank on the line.

Kakuryu maintained his unbeaten start with a slap-down win over second-ranked maegashira Yoshikaze (1-5), while Harumafuji (5-1) worked third-ranked maegashira Shodai (4-2) toward the edge with a throat grip before bumping him over the edge.

But Hakuho, who missed the last tournament through injury, came a cropper in the day's final bout when he was bundled out of the dohyo by third-ranked maegashira Endo (4-2).

In other bouts in the upper ranks, veteran ozeki Kisenosato posted a routine yorikiri force-out win over komusubi Mitakeumi (1-5) for his fifth win.

Ozeki Terunofuji (4-2) outlasted top-ranked maegashira Tochiozan (0-6), while New Year champion Kotoshogiku saw off sekiwake Okinoumi (1-5) with a watashikomi thigh-grabbing push down to level his mark at 3-3.

Chinese No. 14 maegashira Sokokurai saw his perfect start end when he was muscled over the ridge by 12th-ranked Chiyootori, who improved to 4-2.

Bulgarian No. 1 maegashira Aoiyama got it right at the second time of asking and finally chalked up his first win of the tournament, outgrappling sekiwake Takayasu, who dropped to 3-3.

The referee had initially awarded a win to Aoiyama, but ringside judges decided that both men had gone out of the ring at the same time and ordered a rematch.

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Day 7: Kakuryu remains only man undefeated.

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Kyushu Day 7: Goeido, Hakuho bounce back, Kakuryu keeps lead

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Created on Saturday, 19 November 2016 15:33
Written by Kyodo

Ozeki Goeido dodged a bullet and got his bid for promotion to grand champion back on track, while Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho also rebounded from his first defeat at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.

The wins kept the pair within striking distance of sole leader and Mongolian grand champion Kakuryu, who maintained his perfect start to move to 7-0 in the 15-day basho.

Stunned by Tamawashi on Friday, Goeido looked in trouble as winless Kaisei twice worked him up against the straw ridge at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

But the ozeki dug his way out of a hole and rallied to send the Brazilian No. 2 maegashira to the dirt with a well-executed makiotoshi twist down technique.

Goeido posted a stunning maiden title win at the Autumn meet in September, when he went 15-0 despite wrestling with his rank on the line.

But he will need to win the Emperor's Cup here again, or at least come close, if he is to be considered for a move up to grand champion.

Hakuho, sumo's most successful wrestler with 37 championship titles, had an easy day at the office, quickly getting behind No. 2 maegashira Yoshikaze (1-6) after the charge and sending him out with a shove in the back.

Kakuryu put on a sumo clinic, slapping up and thrusting down third-ranked maegashira Endo (4-3) before countryman and grand champion Harumafuji (6-1) used brute force to see off the threat of komusubi Mitakeumi (1-6).

On a day of mixed fortunes for ozeki wrestlers, Kisenosato suffered an upset and fell two wins adrift of Kakuryu after being bundled over the straw bales by third-ranked maegashira Shodai (5-2).

Kotoshogiku (3-4) bit the dust when he was taken down by sekiwake Takayasu (4-3), but Mongolian Terunofuji (5-2) was in control of his bout and forced out top-ranked Bulgarian maegashira Aoiyama (1-6).

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Day 8 - Kakuryu still unbeaten at 8-0, one ahead of Harumafuji & Hakuho (7-1).

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Kyushu Day 8: Goeido's yokozuna promotion chances fade with 2nd defeat

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Created on Sunday, 20 November 2016 18:48
Written by Kyodo

Ozeki Goeido's chance of getting promoted to yokozuna was dealt a blow on Sunday, in a narrow loss to sekiwake Okinoumi for his second defeat at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

After a false start, Goeido's tame charge was sharply countered by Okinoumi (2-6) who was all over the ozeki in a flash. Goeido clung to the straw bales with his left heel, while Okinoumi was dragged down to the surface, and the referee initially handed the win to Goeido at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

But the ringside judges overturned the ruling, claiming Goeido's body, which was teetering on the straw bales was already out of the ring.

"I thought I lost the bout but I was positive anyway as I was on the front foot," Okinoumi said. "I thought he kept his foot in and I lost but sometimes these things happen. I just gave all I had."

Goeido, who won the Autumn tourney with a perfect 15-0 record and could win promotion to the sport's highest rank with a title here, now has a mountain to climb after yokozuna Kakuryu improved his record to a perfect 8-0 in the 15-day tournament. He also trails the other two yokozuna, Hakuho and Harumafuji, as well as newcomer Ishiura, who all improved to 7-1.

Kakuryu rode his luck against komusubi Tamawashi (5-3) but hung on to secure a winning tournament record. Failing to cope with a strong charge from his fellow Mongolian, Kakuryu was chased around the ring before earning a miraculous escape when Tamawashi leaned forward too far and slid down to defeat.

Hakuho, returning to the ring after sitting out September's tournament, was quick to grab overarm belt hold with his left hand and easily forced out komusubi Mitakeumi (1-7), who is struggling in his first meet at the fourth-highest rank.

Harumafuji (7-1) dispatched a difficult opponent in Yoshikaze (1-7), claiming his seventh win in 15 bouts against the second-ranked maegashira after delivering strong pushes to the maegashira's neck, taking the initiative and barging him out.

Top-flight debutant Ishiura also stayed in the leading pack after the No. 15 maegashira jumped to his left off the tachiai and sent 11th-ranked Kyokushuho (1-7) to the floor in a blink with an overarm throw.

Sekiwake Takayasu (4-4) saw his hopes for promotion to ozeki dashed after tepidly getting pushed out by his bogeyman, No. 1 maegashira Tochiozan (2-6), who has won 18 of their 23 bouts.

Ozeki Kisenosato (6-2) saw little trouble warding off pushes from fourth-ranked Kotoyuki (2-6) before thrusting him out, while Mongolian Terunofuji (6-2) was solid in forcing out Kotoshogiku (3-5) in an all-ozeki clash. Terunofuji is now within two wins of retaining his ozeki status for the next grand tournament.

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Kyushu Day 9: Goeido slumps to 3rd defeat, Kakuryu maintains lead

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Created on Monday, 21 November 2016 11:20
Written by Kyodo

Ozeki Goeido's dream of reaching the highest rank of yokozuna fell back to the drawing board after he suffered his third defeat Monday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, where yokozuna Kakuryu remained perfect.

Goeido (6-3), whose chance was hit severely with his loss a day earlier, saw his chance completely evaporate after falling to fellow ozeki Kisenosato (7-2). The Osaka native got the better of the initial charge but was unable to keep hold of escaping Kisenosato, and was floored on a thrust down at the edge of the ring.

Kakuryu had an even opening against sekiwake Takayasu (4-5) as both kept their opponent away with pushes to the throat, but the Mongolian yokozuna's timely dodge and a pulling throw turned his opponent inside out before a force out win that improved his record to 9-0 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Two other yokozuna, Harumafuji and Hakuho, as well as newcomer Ishiura all won to stay a win behind Kakuryu, while five wrestlers including ozeki Kisenosato and Terunofuji have 7-2 records.

Harumafuji sent Okinoumi (2-7) packing in a flash after quickly getting a right overarm belt hold before sweeping the sekiwake off the ring.

Fit-again Hakuho had a much tougher test but eventually downed Kotoshogiku (3-6), winning his 49th out of 54 bouts between the pair. Both wrestlers failed to reach for the mawashi belt in an early stalemate, but Hakuho grabbed the left overarm belt hold before throwing the ozeki down at the edge of the ring.

Makuuchi-debutant Ishiura, a No. 15 maegashira, won the battle of top-flight newcomers, displaying his nimble footwork and diving in low off the tachiai to barrel into 11th-ranked Hokutofuji (5-4) before bulldozing him out of the ring in an emphatic bout to keep up the pace.

After starting the tourney with two straight defeats, Terunofuji, who had a losing record in the last basho in September, is now within a win of retaining his ozeki status after sending winless Brazilian No. 2 maegashira Kaisei to the floor with an overarm throw.

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Kyushu Day 10: Hakuho handed 2nd loss, Kakuryu still in front

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Created on Tuesday, 22 November 2016 17:59
Written by Kyodo

Returning grand champion Hakuho saw his title hopes dented after nemesis Kisenosato sentenced him to a second defeat at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday.

The result saw Hakuho (8-2), who missed the last tournament through injury, fall two wins behind sole leader and fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu with five days left of the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

So often a thorn in Hakuho's side in the past, ozeki Kisenosato (8-2) got stuck into the grand champion in an explosive opening the bout, but looked to be on his way out after getting worked up against the straw ridge.

But Kisenosato, who famously snapped Hakuho's 63-bout winning streak at this tournament in 2010, showed nifty footwork to escape the jam and countered to shove the 37-time Emperor's Cup winner over the bales.

Kakuryu stayed unbeaten at 10-0, getting both hands on the back of ozeki Terunofuji's (7-3) belt and swinging him across the sandy surface and out.

Kakuryu is one win clear of Mongolian grand champion Harumafuji and rank-and-filer Ishiura.

Harumafuji wrapped up the day's action by flattening sekiwake Takayasu (6-4) with an outside leg trip.

Ishiura continued his excellent form on his debut in the elite makuuchi division, the 15th-ranked maegashira sending 14th-ranked Chinese grappler Sokokurai (6-4) out from behind in the day's opening bout in the top flight.

His yokozuna promotion hopes all but shattered after a third defeat on Monday, Goeido claimed ozeki bragging rights by shoving out Kotoshogiku (3-7).

Goeido came into the 15-day meet aiming for a shot at grand champion after winning his maiden title with a 15-0 record at the Autumn meet in September.

But he will need to win the title here, or at least come close, a feat which looks beyond him now with a 7-3 mark.

Sekiwake Okinoumi fell to a losing record after he was barged over the edge by top-ranked maegashira Tochiozan (3-7).

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Kyushu Day 11: Three tied for lead after Kakuryu slips up

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Created on Wednesday, 23 November 2016 12:39
Written by Kyodo

Yokozuna Kakuryu crashed to his first defeat on Wednesday, the 11th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

A day after handing grand champion Hakuho his second defeat, ozeki Kisenosato turned the affair at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on its ear with his 31st career win over Kakuryu. The yokozuna looked hesitant on his charge, while Kisenosato absorbed the blow and took stock of the situation.

For an instant, Kakuryu appeared set for his 11th win. With a left-handed underarm hold on the ozeki's belt, the yokozuna attempted a throw. But it was poorly executed. Kakuryu's grip slipped and Kisenosato quickly finished the yokozuna off with an armlock throw.

Kakuryu is now tied for the lead at 10-1 with fellow Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji and makuuchi-division debutant Ishiura. Kisenosato and yokozuna Hakuho are both one win further back at 9-2.

Harumafuji handed ozeki Kotoshogiku a painful eighth loss. Harumafuji seized the initiative on the tachiai and never lost his grip. The ozeki squirmed in vain to make his escape, but was finished off with a slick underarm throw.

The loss means Kotoshogiku will fight as a "kadoban ozeki" in January, when eight or more losses will mean demotion to the rank of sekiwake.

Sekiwake Takayasu (4-7) brought the energy needed to make yokozuna Hakuho work hard for a win, but lacked the finesse needed to hang in against the Mongolian master. Hakuho kept his poise and sent Takayasu to defeat with a hatakikomi slap-down win.

In the day's only all-ozeki clash, Goeido recorded his eighth win, while denying Terunofuji the eighth victory he needs to remain at his current rank for January's grand tournament.

Terunofuji looked for an opening, but Goeido, who entered the tournament aiming for yokozuna promotion, offered none and finished with a simple frontal forceout. It was Goeido's 10th win in 13 career bouts with the Mongolian.

After one false start, Ishiura's sensational makuuchi debut continued with a quick win over former sekiwake Myogiryu (6-5). Wrestling now at No. 9 maegashira, the 30-year-old Myogiryu charged straight forward, seeking a conventional hold, but was spun around with his back to the straw when Ishiura slammed into his right side.

Myogiryu flailed and gyrated trying to recover his balance and come to grips with his opponent, but Ishiura was all over him. The powerful 26-year-old tackled Myogiryu and flung him from the ring.

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Kyushu Day 12: Kakuryu back on top following rivals' defeats

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Created on Thursday, 24 November 2016 13:12
Written by Kyodo

Yokozuna Kakuryu got back on the winning track on Thursday, the 12th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, where he regained his sole lead with an 11-1 record.

A day after suffering his only loss of the 15-day tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, the yokozuna easily took charge of his bout with ozeki Kotoshogiku, steered him to ring's edge and forcing him out to his ninth defeat.

Kakuryu holds a one-win lead over yokozuna Harumafuji, ozeki Kisenosato and surprising No. 15 maegashira Ishiura. Yokozuna Hakuho, ozeki Goeido and No. 3 maegashira Shodai are two back at 9-3.

On Friday, Kakuryu will face off against Hakuho, who has beaten him 39 times in their 44 career bouts.

Kisenosato has been one of the wildcards at this tournament, suffering his only losses to the third-ranked maegashira wrestlers. On Thursday, he completed a clean sweep of the Mongolian yokozuna trio, forcing Harumafuji from the ring and from his share of the lead.

Harumafuji got off to a bright start on the tachiai, but Kisensato absorbed his opponent's charge and maintained his balance with a tactical retreat. Trying too hard to topple his much-larger opponent on the first go, Harumafuji overextended himself and became easy prey for one of Kisenosato's trademark counterattacks.

On Friday, Harumafuji will square off against yokozuna hopeful Goeido, against whom he is 29-10 in his career.

Hakuho suffered his third defeat at the hands of ozeki Terunofuji, who secured the eighth win he needed to avoid demotion to sumo's third highest rank of sekiwake.

Terunofuji pressed Hakuho back to the straw and succeeded in pushing him out on the second effort in an impressive victory over the man who holds the record for most grand sumo tournament championships.

"He read my attack," said Hakuho, who survived his first brush with defeat only to be forced out on the second.

Goeido (9-3) kept his slim hopes for a second-straight championship alive by beating No. 3 maegashira Endo (6-6) on the tachiai and driving him from the ring. Goeido, who won September's Autumn tourney with a spotless 15-0 record. A championship in Fukuoka will earn him promotion to yokozuna.

Makuuchi-division debutant Ishiura's stunning 10-match winning streak came to an end when he was forced out by former sekiwake Ikioi (8-4).

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Kyushu Day 13: Kakuryu closes in on title

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Created on Friday, 25 November 2016 11:35
Written by Kyodo

Kakuryu claimed yokozuna bragging rights and closed in on the title by defeating fellow Mongolian Hakuho at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.

After an early exchange of slaps and thrusts, Kakuryu seized control and got both arms around Hakuho before bellying him over the straw bales to stay one win clear with two days of the 15-day basho remaining.

Victory was only Kakuryu's sixth in 45 meetings with Hakuho at grand tournaments. He is one win ahead of yokozuna and compatriot Harumafuji and can clinch the title by beating Goeido on Saturday, provided Harumafuji loses to Hakuho.

Hakuho, who is returning to the raised ring after missing the last tournament in September owing to injuries, dropped to 9-4.

Harumafuji got a second crack at Goeido (9-4) after ringside judges ordered a rematch, deciding both had touched down outside the ring at the same time in their initial fight.

And he made no mistake, quickly taking the ozeki down at the charge with an uwatenage overarm throw to stay in the hunt for the tournament hardware.

Ozeki Kisenosato, and maegashira Ishiura and Shodai are two wins off the pace at 10-3.

A day after completing a clean sweep of the Mongolian yokozuna trio, Kisenosato's hopes of capturing a coveted maiden title suffered a blow as Georgian No. 6 maegashira Tochinoshin (9-4) shrugged off his throat grip and sent him to the dirt with an underarm throw.

In the day's opening match-up in the top flight, surprise package Ishiura suffered a damaging loss, the 15th-ranked makuuchi division debutant getting slapped down by 10th-ranked Arawashi (9-4).

Third-ranked Shodai improved his mark with a yorikiri force out of 12th-ranked Chiyootori (6-7).

In other bouts, Mongolian komusubi Tamawashi upset ozeki Terunofuji (8-5) as he got around the back of the giant compatriot and shoved him out from behind to secure a majority of wins.

Ozeki Kotoshogiku won his fourth bout in the blink of an eye, thrusting down top-ranked maegashira Tochiozan, who appeared to lose his footing before crashing to a losing record with the eighth loss.

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Day 14: Kakuryu wins the yusho with a day to spare after Hakuho beats the other yokozuna Harumafuji.

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Kyushu Day 14: Kakuryu beats Goeido to win Kyushu title

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Created on Saturday, 26 November 2016 14:54
Written by Kyodo

Kakuryu capitalized on a slip-up by fellow Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji to clinch his third career championship with a day to spare at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.

Harumafuji crashed to his third defeat at the hands of Hakuho in the day's penultimate bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center and Kakuryu (13-1) took full advantage by seeing off ozeki Goeido (9-5).

Kakuryu came out of the blocks too early and Goeido then also made a false start in a tense finale. Goeido looked to have an edge with a crunching charge but Kakuryu got inside him to secure victory with a pulling overarm throw.

"I'm pleased. I tried to think about it (the title) as little as I could, taking the bout the same as always and that worked well," Kakuryu said. "I tried not to be affected (by Harumafuji's defeat) and I was focusing on my sumo."

"It was the same (with two false starts), I was intent on maintaining my mindset and executing my style of sumo and that worked."

"I went through a tough period, when physically and mentally things did not come together, but I'm pleased to end the year in a good way like this."

Kakuryu faces Harumafuji (11-3) on the final day of the 15-day basho.

Hakuho (10-4) read compatriot Harumafuji like a book at the charge, drew him in and swiveled at the edge of the ring to send him out with a textbook kotenage armlock throw.

Kisenosato rebounded from his surprise defeat to sixth-ranked Georgian maegashira Tochinoshin on Friday, outlasting Mongolian behemoth Terunofuji (8-6) in an all-ozeki match-up to post an 11th win.

Third-ranked maegashira Shodai (11-3) rammed out 15th-ranked makuuchi newcomer Ishiura (10-4) in a rematch after both were deemed to have crashed out of the dohyo at the same time by ringside judges in their first fight.

Elsewhere, ozeki Kotoshogiku continued to look like a pale shadow of the wrestler that pulled off a stunning championship win at the New Year meet, getting quickly slapped down at the charge by Bulgarian No. 1 maegashira Aoiyama. Both wrestlers have 4-10 records.

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