Kirishima Takes One-Win Advantage into Final Day of Kyushu Basho

Ozeki Kirishima took a major step toward winning his second Emperor's Cup when he beat rising star Atamifuji on Saturday, November 25, the penultimate day of the Kyushu Basho.

In the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Kirishima quickly got a right-hand grip on the belt of eighth-ranked maegashira Atamifuji. He then drove his opponent out to improve to 12-2.

Atamifuji, who lost in a playoff to Takakeisho on the final day of the Autumn Basho, dropped to 11-3. 

Kyushu Basho Title Scenarios

If Atamifuji wins against Kotonowaka on the final day on Sunday and Kirishima loses to Takakeisho, there will be a winner-take-all playoff for the two wrestlers.

Daieisho Outduels Takakeisho

In other major Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament bouts, sekiwake Daieisho used his bread-and-butter thrusting technique to overpower ozeki Takakeisho and give both wrestlers a record of 9-5.

"I was able to push and thrust right after the face-off," said Daieisho. "After losing yesterday, I just tried to keep my focus and hope to end on a positive note tomorrow."

Takakeisho, who won the Autumn Tournament, entered the Kyushu Basho with hopes of winning and possibly earning promotion to grand champion, but those hopes were dashed on Day 11 with a fourth loss to Kotonowaka.

Ozeki Hoshoryu of Mongolia was all business when he deployed a textbook arm throw at the edge to send fifth-ranked Midorifuji sprawling to the dirt surface. Both grapplers are at 9-5.

Kotonowaka Notches 10th Victory

Sekiwake Kotonowaka shifted to the right and used a thrust-down on the shoulder of Shonannoumi to pick up his 10th win, the first time he's had double-digit wins at the third-highest rank. 

Sixth-ranked maegashira Shonannoumi fell to 7-7, but he can still wrap up a winning record on the final day.

Sekiwake Wakamotoharu improved to 5-9 and put an end to a four-bout losing skid when he shoved out fourth-ranked Nishikigi, who dropped to 6-9.

In a showdown of former ozeki wrestlers, top maegashira Asanoyama shoved out No 2 Shodai to pick up his third win against four losses and seven absences.

Shodai, who was overwhelmed at the face-off, dropped to 5-9.

No 14 maegashira Ichiyamamoto swatted down 10th-ranked Ryuden (9-5) at the edge to improve to 10-4.

Mongolian veteran Tamawashi, a No 12 meagashira, picked up his ninth win against five losses when he shoved out struggling No 2 Meisei, who dropped to an unflattering 3-11.

RELATED:

• Kotonowaka Beats Takakeisho to Stay Tied for Kyushu Basho Lead
• Asanoyama Returns to Kyushu Basho, Deals Takakeisho a Blow to His Promotion Chances

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.