J10 – Statu quo en tête du classement

There were no big surprises at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday, with yokozuna Kakuryu and sekiwake Tochinoshin both emerging victorious to stay in a three-way tie for the lead.

The two wrestlers improved to 9-1 going into the final third of the 15-day meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan, along with No. 8 maegashira Asanoyama. The only top-ranked grappler defeated on Day 10 was komusubi Mitakeumi, who was on the losing end against Tochinoshin.

Kakuryu fended off a hostile attack from No. 4 Abi (6-4). The Mongolian struggled to land a slap to his opponent’s face as he was edged back with a throat hold, but shifted to the side and slapped Abi down to the clay.

Tochinoshin, meanwhile, retained his share of the lead and is now one win away from regaining his ozeki status after defeating Mitakeumi (6-4) and improving to 9-1. In one of the day’s top bouts, Tochinoshin took a hard hit from the komusubi. But after digging in and revving his engine, the Georgian shifted into high gear and drove Mitakeumi straight from the ring. Tochinoshin faces Abi on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Asanoyama (9-1) prevailed in a shoving match with No. 7 Shodai (6-4) to even their head-to-head record in the top division at one apiece. The 25-year-old Toyama native held his ground after the initial clash, and kept Shodai on the ropes before going all in on a diving push.

“I wanted to get a winning record as soon as possible so I’m happy about that,” said Asanoyama, who finished with a 7-8 mark at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Takayasu and Goeido have seemingly put their struggles behind, with both ozeki improving to 7-3 with their fourth straight wins.

In his second meeting with No. 5 Ryuden (6-4) in the top division, Takayasu quickly got a left-handed inside grip on the maegashira’s belt and took him back to the straw. With little room to maneuver, Ryuden struggled in the ozeki’s trap as Takayasu shoved him out.

In the next bout, No. 4 Okinoumi (2-8) went for an ill-advised leg hold against Goeido, losing his balance and getting slapped down by the ozeki.

Aoiyama (4-6) made quick work of No. 2 Endo (3-7) as he kicked off the bouts involving wrestlers in the three sanyaku ranks below yokozuna. The komusubi was unfazed by his opponent’s initial charge, pulling Endo’s head down with his right arm before finishing the slap-down with his left.

No. 15 Kotoeko (8-2) secured a winning record after defeating No. 10 Onosho (5-5).

Only one of the two men to start the day a victory behind the leaders was able to maintain pace.

Written by Kyodo