J1 – Mauvais début pour le yokozuna Kisenosato

Japanese grand champion Kisenosato opened the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament with a loss to Takakeisho on Sunday.

Kisenosato, who entered a tournament as the sole yokozuna for the first time, chased the 22-year-old komusubi around the ring to get a hold of his belt.

Takakeisho, however, fought back and slapped Kisenosato down with his left hand to improve his record against the grand champion to 3-2.

« I was able to give my best in our previous bout (in September) so I tried to do the same here, » said Takakeisho, who belonged to the now-defunct Takanohana stable.

« I’m just going to perform what I have learned. I’m focused on doing my best every day. »

Kisenosato is aiming for his first championship since March 2017, when he made his debut at the sport’s highest rank. The 32-year-old will face top-ranked maegashira Myogiryu (0-1), against whom he holds a 16-4 record.

The three ozeki wrestlers had mixed fates on Day 1 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Takayasu posted a quick and easy win over Myogiryu before Goeido, competing in his 26th straight meet in the sport’s second-highest rank, defeated top-ranked maegashira Hokutofuji in the day’s penultimate bout.

Tochinoshin, who is fighting in his third meet since being promoted, lost to No. 2 maegashira Tamawashi in a bout lasting only three seconds. The Georgian reached for Tamawashi’s belt, but was unable to resist Tamawashi’s slaps and stepped out of the ring.

« I’m glad. The support from the audience allowed me to beat him. I’m going to stick to the basics here so I think I’ll do better than the previous meets, » said Tamawashi, who had a 4-11 record in September.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi, who won his maiden championship in July, suffered a loss to No. 2 Tochiozan, who twisted the fan-favorite down for the win. Ichinojo was on the backfoot against No. 3 maegashira Nishikigi but the 227-kilogram sekiwake resisted and edged him out.

Kisenosato is fighting at the top rank alone here following withdrawals from Mongolians Hakuho and Kakuryu.

Hakuho, who earned a record-extending 41st championship in September, will likely miss the entire tournament since he needs about five weeks to recover from a right knee surgery underwent last month.

Written by Kyodo