Ozeki Kotoshogiku had a strong start in his promotion bid for sumo’s top rank, but his victory over top maegashira Takayasu was overshadowed as yokozuna Hakuho stumbled to a loss on the opening day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka on Sunday.
Hakuho, who has a record 35 Emperor’s Cups, clumsily relied on a pulling technique after the jump-off against komusubi Takarafuji. But the move gave momentum to his opponent, as Takarafuji advanced forward to force the Mongolian yokozuna out of the ring.
The upset came right after another yokozuna, Kakuryu, fell to sekiwake Toyonoshima. The yokozuna tried to get a strong grip on his opponent in the center of the ring, but the sekiwake resisted vehemently. Toyonoshima eventually succeeded in grabbing the yokozuna’s belt and sending him out of the ring.
Harumafuji was the only yokozuna who lived up to sumo’s top rank, swiftly pushing komusubi Tochiozan out of the ring for a winning start.
Unlike the yokozuna, all four ozeki notched victories.
Kotoshogiku, who became the first Japan-born wrestler to win a title in 10 years at the New Year Tournament in January, wrapped up Takayasu just after the jump-off. The ozeki made a gradual push forward until he forced the maegashira out of the ring.
Terunofuji forced out No. 2 maegashira Tochinoshin, while Goeido beat Okinoumi, the other No. 2 maegashira. Kisenosato went on the defensive against Kotoyuki, but didn’t miss a chance to push the top maegashira down after outlasting his opponent’s thrusts.Speech(The Japan News)
Link: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002808172
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