J4 – Hakuho reste invaincu avec une victoire durement gagné

Record-chasing Mongolian grand champion Hakuho maintained his flawless start to the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday, producing a well-earned fourth win against top-ranked maegashira Takakeisho on Wednesday.

The day’s finale at times resembled a boxing bout as both wrestlers waited for each other to make the next move after a stalemate broke up at the center of the ring at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.

But Hakuho showed his class and easily worked Takakeisho (1-3) over the bales to move within seven wins of former ozeki Kaio’s all-time win record of 1,047.

Hakuho’s 1,040th career victory left him five back of the late Chiyonofuji, who is second on the all-time list.

Three of the four yokozuna in sumo’s elite division came through with wins on the fourth day of action.

Kisenosato, whose injured left arm has clearly affected his form here, rebounded from his second defeat with relatively ease, barging out top-ranked Shodai (1-3) to level his mark.

Harumafuji also recovered from a surprise second defeat and after diving in low at the charge, the Mongolian quickly seized control to shove Georgian No. 2 maegashira Tochinoshin (2-2) to the dirt.

But Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu withdrew from the 15-day basho earlier in the day due to a right foot injury and handed a default win to his scheduled komusubi opponent Yoshikaze (4-0).

It is the third time this year Kakuryu has been forced to pull out of a tournament, and seventh time overall. Kakuryu’s stablemaster Izutsu said the yokozuna’s latest injury could put his career on the line.

« If he can’t post results befitting a yokozuna then he should get ready (to retire), » said Izutsu.

« Being prone to injury means he’s losing power. If he can’t win next time he steps on the dohyo, there will be no option to pull out midway. He would have to take the decision like a man. »

The 31-year-old Kakuryu said he would try to overcome his latest injury setback.

« I don’t want to end with an injury this way, nor do I want to end as a loser. I hope to try and stay positive and overcome this injury. »

Back on the ring, newly promoted ozeki Takayasu took out sekiwake debutante Mitakeumi (2-2) with a flurry of thrusts to score a third straight win.

There were mixed results for the two other ozeki. Goeido (2-2) powered his way past winless No. 3 maegashira Ikioi, but Mongolian giant Terunofuji (1-3) was condemned to a force-out defeat by second-ranked Hokutofuji (3-1).

Written by Kyodo