J12 – Kakuryû conserve la tête

NAGOYA – Kakuryu maintained his one-win lead over Hakuho at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after both yokozuna prevailed on Thursday.

Five-time champion Kakuryu improved to a perfect 12-0 with a victory over No. 6 maegashira Chiyotairyu (6-6) on Day 12 at Dolphins Arena. Unbeaten in their 11 previous meetings, Kakuryu continued his dominance over Chiyotairyu with a cleverly executed rear foot sweep. Taking a strong outside grip at the jump, Kakuryu swung the maegashira around before dropping him to the clay with a foot to the back of his heel.

Fellow yokozuna Hakuho (11-1) outmaneuvered sekiwake Mitakeumi (7-5) in the day’s engaging final bout. Following a restart, the pair clasped in the middle of the ring, each with a belt hold. Hakuho countered a force-out attempt before the pair locked up in another stalemate. With both men standing almost upright, it was the all-time championship record-holder who seized an opening, dropping his hips and driving Mitakeumi over the edge. Hakuho, whose only defeat was on Tuesday against Ichinojo, was coming off a day’s rest after ozeki Takayasu forfeited their scheduled battle on Day 11.

With his withdrawal from the 15-day tournament due to a left elbow injury, Takayasu joined the other three ozeki in pulling out of the meet. Takakeisho withdrew before the opening day with a right knee injury. Tochinoshin and Goeido pulled out on the sixth day and eighth day, respectively.

Struggling sekiwake Tamawashi improved to 2-10 after driving out No. 4 Meisei (2-10). The Mongolian had the momentum from the start, quickly removing his younger opponent with a series of powerful thrusts.

Komusubi Abi (5-7) is one defeat away from a losing record after slipping to the clay in his match with No. 2 Endo (7-5). The Shikoroyama stable grappler lost his footing while exchanging slaps and thrusts with the former komusubi.

Komusubi Ryuden (3-9) continued to find the going tough in the sanyaku ranks, the three below yokozuna, suffering a thrust- out defeat to No. 2 Aoiyama (6-6).

Among the rank and file, No. 16 Terutsuyoshi (10-2) kept his place on the leaderboard by pushing out No. 7 Myogiryu (8-4).

Three wrestlers — No. 4 Ichinojo, No. 10 Kotoeko and No. 16 Kotoyuki — ensured winning records by improving to 8-4.

The biggest man in the division, former sekiwake Ichinojo used his 227-kg bulk to wrap up No. 7 Tomokaze (9-3) and force him over the straw.

“I got the grip and from there it was just a matter of being patient,” Ichinojo said.

Kotoeko knocked back No. 13 Sadanoumi (7-5) with a two-arm thrust before slapping him down.

“I employed the (two-arm thrust) and it paid off. I’ve been pretty confident with how I’ve been performing,” Kotoeko said after securing a winning record in two straight tournaments.

Kotoyuki notched a winning return to the top division after pushing out No. 12 Kagayaki (6-6).

Written by Kyodo