Sumo

Hoshoryu Looks Unstoppable with a Convincing Win Over Kotoshoho at the Kyushu Basho

Mongolian ozeki Hoshoryu is tied for the lead with Kotozakura and Takanosho with five days remaining at the Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka.

by
Jim Armstrong
November 19, 2024

Ozeki Hoshoryu overpowered rank-and-filer Kotoshoho on Tuesday, November 19 to remain in a three-way tie for the lead after 10 days of the Kyushu Basho.

Showing the experience of an ozeki, Mongolian Hoshoryu got a right-hand grip on the belt of the No 5 maegashira shortly after the face-off before using a frontal force-out to notch his ninth win against one loss.

Kotoshoho was basically helpless once Hoshoryu got a hold of his belt and dropped to an unflattering 2-8.

In the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, ozeki Kotozakura celebrated his 27th birthday by hauling down fifth-ranked maegashira Tobizaru (6-4) to stay tied for the lead at 9-1.

Daieisho Shocks Onosato in Kyushu Basho Showdown

Sekiwake Daieisho stunned Onosato in the day's biggest upset, delivering a serious blow to the new ozeki's chances of winning a second straight championship.

Traditionally a pusher-thruster, Daieisho got both arms around Onosato and sent him out over the edge with a frontal force-out.

Daieisho improved to 6-4 while Onosato fell to 7-3. Onosato is not out of the championship race with five days to go but will need the leaders to falter while practically winning all his remaining bouts.

"I wasn't able to use my usual thrusting technique but I responded well to the situation," said Daieisho after beating Onosato for the first time.

Another Win for Takanosho

No 6 maegashira Takanosho came bursting out of the face-off with a thrust to the upper body of Onokatsu and then swatted the 15th-ranked maegashira down to stay tied for the lead at 9-1.

Mongolian Onokatsu lost his second straight bout to fall to 7-3.

March tournament winner Takerufuji shoved out fellow rank-and-filer Meisei (6-4) to improve to 8-2 and stay in the title chase.

"Getting a winning record is nothing that special for me," Takerufuji said. "I've just been able to fight my style of sumo so far and will continue trying to do my best."

No 3 maegashira Abi secured a winning record for the Kyushu Basho when he deployed an under-shoulder swing-down to improve to 8-2. Top maegashira Hiradoumi fell to an unflattering 1-9.

"It was a bit different than my usual winning technique," Abi said. "I feel like I am in a good position and will just try to stay focused for the remainder of the tournament."

Wakatakakage Improves to 7-3

No 2 maegashira Wakatakakage spun Oho around and shoved him out from behind to improve to 7-3. Top maegashira Oho has struggled in this tournament and fell to 3-7.

Sekiwake Kirishima quickly got a grip on the belt of Churanoumi and threw the fourth-ranked maegashira down to his eighth loss against only two wins.

After losing his first five bouts, Kirishima is attempting to salvage a winning record for the tournament and improved to 4-6.

Sumo's ironman Tamawashi thrust down No 7 maegashira Endo (5-5) to pick up an all-important fifth win against five losses.

No 11 maegashira Tamawashi, who turned 40 on Saturday, has said he hopes to get a winning record for this tournament and can still achieve that goal with a strong finish.

Shonannoumi, a 13th-ranked maegashira, used a spectacular arm throw to send Shishi sprawling to the dirt surface while improving to 7-3.

It has been a tough debut in the elite division for Ukrainian Shishi, a No 16 maegashira. After winning his first two bouts, he has now lost seven of his last eight to drop to 3-7.

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.