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Hokutofuji upset sekiwake Hoshoryu on Thursday, July 20 to move into a two-way tie for the lead with fellow rank-and-filer Nishikigi on Day 12 of the Nagoya Basho.
No 9 maegashira Hokutofuji, who had lost his previous five bouts against Hoshoryu, forced the Mongolian grappler back to the edge and shoved him out to improve to 10-2.
Hoshoryu, who is bidding for promotion to ozeki, dropped to 9-3. He now needs to win his final three bouts at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament to have a chance at earning promotion to sumo's second-highest rank.
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In other major bouts at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, makuuchi division rookie Shonannoumi used a textbook arm-lock throw to send overnight sole leader Nishikigi sprawling to the dirt surface and wrap up a winning record at 8-4.
Top maegashira Nishikigi dropped to 10-2.
"I just tried to stay focused and do my brand of sumo," said Shonannoumi, a No 14 maegashira.
He added, "I will just try to do my best tomorrow."
Hakuoho, another makuuchi division rookie, shoved out komusubi Abi (4-8) to pick up his ninth win against three losses. Hakuoho will face Nishikigi on Day 13.
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Kirishima Tops Wakamotoharu
In the day's final bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, new ozeki Kirishima overpowered Wakamotoharu to move a step closer to securing a winning record.
Kirishima improved to six wins, four losses and two absences. Sekiwake Wakamotoharu dropped to 8-4 and now has no chance to secure promotion to ozeki for the next tournament in September.
Former ozeki Asanoyama returned to the tournament after a three-day absence due to injury and used a beltless arm throw to defeat Tobizaru.
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No 4 maegashira Asanoyama improved to five wins, four losses and three absences. Top maegashira Tobizaru dropped to 6-6.
Veteran Tamawashi dealt a serious blow to Daieisho's ozeki promotion hopes when he shifted to his side after the face-off and swatted the sekiwake down to pick up his seventh win against five losses.
Daieisho fell to 8-4 with his second straight loss. He will need to win all of his remaining three bouts to earn consideration for promotion to sumo's second-highest rank.
Komusubi Kotonowaka used a beltless arm throw to defeat No 16 maegashira Endo and give both wrestlers a record of 8-4.
Ryuden Seals Winning Record
Further down the ranks, No. 15 maegashira Ryuden shoved out No 8 Nishikifuji to win his eighth straight bout and wrap up a winning record at 8-4.
At the other end of the spectrum, the misery continued for former ozeki Takayasu, who was overpowered by fellow rank-and-filer Gonoyama (7-5) to lose his seventh straight while dropping to 5-7.
No. 3 maegashira Meisei used a perfectly timed leg hook to toppled Shodai and improve to 5-7. It was his 200th makuuchi division win. No 2 maegashira Shodai also has a record of 5-7.
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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Nagoya Basho Tournament Records
Day | Opponent | Result |
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