J8 – Hakuho et Harumafuji conservent leur invulnérabilité

Hakuho put on another sumo clinic on Sunday to stay unbeaten and tied for the lead with fellow Mongolian grand champion Harumafuji after eight days of action at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho oozed class in his bout against struggling Kotoshogiku (1-7) at Ryogoku Kokugikan, quickly taking the sekiwake down with a textbook pulling overarm throw to move to 8-0 at the 15-day meet in Tokyo.

Harumafuji was equally imperious in the day’s penultimate bout, ramming second-ranked maegashira Chiyoshoma (1-7) off the dohyo and into the ringside cushions with a devastating neck thrust.

Sekiwake Takayasu stayed in touch with the leading duo at 7-1, while grand champion Kisenosato is another win back in a tie for 6-2.

Chasing a third straight title, Kisenosato needed every ounce of strength to deal with Bulgarian-born third-ranked maegashira Aoiyama, who put up a valiant effort before running out of steam at the edge of the ring.

Takayasu remained in the hunt for the title and on course for possible promotion to ozeki with a controlling win over komusubi Yoshikaze (4-4).

Takayasu got stuck in at the charge and followed up a pair of blows to Yoshikaze’s head by pulling him down by the back of the neck.

Takayasu needs 33 wins over three tournaments to be considered for promotion to ozeki and he is now only three victories away from meeting that requirement.

Ozeki Terunofuji (6-2) turned on the style in the next bout, lifting the 160-kilogram frame of komusubi Mitaketumi (3-5) off the floor and then plopping him over the bales for an arm barring force out win.

But fellow ozeki Goeido got chased out of the ring by popular maegashira Endo (3-5) and suffered his third defeat.

Goeido is wrestling with his rank on the line for the fifth time in his career, and still needs at least three more wins to avoid demotion to sekiwake for the next tournament in July.

Written by Kyodo