Birthday Boy Hoshoryu Celebrates with a Spectacular Win Over Onosato at Summer Basho

Ozeki Hoshoryu celebrated his 25th birthday with a spectacular underarm throw to knock rising star Onosato out of the lead on Wednesday, May 22 at the Summer Basho.

In the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Hoshoryu got a right hand in on komusubi Onosato and flipped the larger wrestler with a textbook arm throw to improve to 7-4 and keep his title hopes alive in Tokyo.

Onosato, who has never beaten Hoshoryu in three head-to-head bouts, dropped to 8-3. He is one win back of rank-and-filer Shonannoumi with four days left in the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

In other major Summer Basho bouts, ozeki Kotozakura (8-3) was pushed back to the edge but kept his composure. He then used an overarm throw to topple fifth-ranked maegashira Meisei (7-4).

Top maegashira Daieisho deployed a textbook arm throw at the edge to send Ura toppling off the raised ring. As a result, Daieisho improved to 8-3 to secure a winning record in the basho.

After getting off to a promising start with six straight wins, fourth-ranked maegashira Ura lost his fifth straight bout to drop to 6-5.

Summer Basho Leader Shonannoumi Outduels Takarafuji

Further down the ranks, 10th-ranked maegashira Shonannoumi used an arm-lock throw to send Takarafuji sprawling to the dirt surface and improve to 9-2. No 16 maegashira Takarafuji fell to 8-3.

Makuuchi division debutant Oshoma got a left-hand grip on the belt of No 8 maegashira Kotoshoho (7-4) and bumped his opponent out over the edge to wrap up a winning record at 8-3.

"I've been moving my body well, even if I was attacked by my opponent I was determined to keep moving forward," said No 14 maegashira Oshoma. 

Former ozeki Mitakeumi, a No 7 maegashira, also ensured himself of a winning record when he shoved out rank-and-filer Churanoumi (7-4) to pick up his eighth win against three losses. 

"I'm very relieved," Mitakeumi said. "I still have a sore leg but I just tried to believe in myself. The only thing I can do is try my best in every match."

Takayasu Triumphs Over Atamifuji

Veteran No 3 maegashira Takayasu, who sat out five days with a sore back, continued his impressive comeback when he bulldozed Atamifuji out to improve to five wins, one loss and five absences.

Since coming back on Day 9, Takayasu has beaten ozeki wrestlers Hoshoryu and Kotozakura and now top maegashira Atamifuji.

It has been a disappointing tournament for Atamifuji, who fell to 4-7. Now he will need to win all of his remaining bouts in order to wrap up a winning record.

RELATED:

• Takayasu Stuns Ozeki Kotozakura as Plot Thickens at Summer Basho
• Onosato Displays Fancy Footwork to Beat Daieisho and Stay Tied for Summer Basho 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.