Ozeki Hoshoryu took a step toward a second title on Thursday, November 21 when he shoved out Shodai to move into a two-way tie for the lead with three days to go in the Kyushu Basho.
Mongolian Hoshoryu came bursting out of the face-off at Fukuoka Kokusai Center and got a right arm inside on former ozeki Shodai (4-8) before using a powerful shove to send the komusubi out while improving to 11-1.
Ozeki Kotozakura, bidding for his first title, maintained his share of the lead when he shoved out sekiwake Daieisho to improve to 11-1. Daieisho put up little resistance and fell to 6-6.
The two ozeki wrestlers are on a collision course to win the Emperor's Cup and will likely meet on the weekend. For now, Hoshoryu will face Onosato on Friday while Kotozakura will take on Takanosho.
Sekiwake Kirishima dealt a major blow to Takanosho's title hopes when he got a left-hand grip on the belt of the No 6 maegashira and shoved him out. Takanosho dropped to 10-2.
Kirishima lost his first five bouts but has salvaged a respectable record at 6-6 with his fourth straight win and could still finish with a winning record.
Onosato Bounces Back at the Kyushu Basho
In the day's final bout, Onosato salvaged some ozeki pride and gained a measure of revenge after a loss on the previous day when he overpowered March tournament winner and No 16 maegashira Takerufuji to give both grapplers a record of 8-4.
Onosato's hopes of putting together back-to-back championships were all but dashed on the previous day when he was defeated by Takanosho to fall to 7-4.
In other major bouts on Day 12, No 3 maegashira Abi came out fast and strong from the initial face-off and used his trademark arm thrusts to send Wakatakakage over the edge and improve to 9-3.
No 2 maegashira Wakatakakage had no response and dropped to 8-4.
Wakatakakage's brother Wakamotoharu fared better when the komusubi got a left-handed grip on the belt and pushed out Tobizaru to move to 7-5. No 5 maegashira Tobizaru slipped to 6-6.
Tamawashi Collects 7th Win
In a battle of young versus old, Mongolian Tamawashi, who just turned 40, took a big step toward wrapping up a winning record when he shoved Ukrainian rookie Shishi out in a matter of seconds.
Tamawashi, an 11th-ranked maegashira, improved to 7-5 and can wrap up a winning record on Day 13 when he faces No 17 maegashira Asakoryu, another rookie who stands at 5-7.
No 16 maegashira Shishi (3-9) has had a rocky debut in the elite division. After winning his first two bouts, he has now lost nine of his last 10.
Gonoyama kept his slim title hopes alive when he thrust out fellow rank-and-filer Takarafuji (7-5) to improve to 9-3.
RELATED:
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- Kyushu Basho: Hoshoryu Manhandles Compatriot Oshoma to Stay Tied for the Lead
Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.
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