Sumo

Kyushu Basho: Hoshoryu Manhandles Compatriot Oshoma to Stay Tied for the Lead

The ozeki relied on a perfectly executed arm throw to send his Mongolian opponent sprawling to the dirt surface on Day 8 of the 15-day Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka.

by
Jim Armstrong
November 17, 2024

Ozeki Hoshoryu tossed aside compatriot Oshoma on Sunday, November 17 to remain tied for the lead with three others at the midway point of the Kyushu Basho.

In the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Hoshoryu used a textbook overarm throw to send Oshoma toppling to win the all-Mongolia showdown.

At 7-1, Hoshoryu is tied with fellow ozeki Kotozakura and rank-and-filers Takanosho and Onokatsu.

In other major bouts, new ozeki Onosato took care of business in a matter of seconds when he came bursting out of the face-off and delivered several powerful thrusts to send Tobizaru flying into the first row of seats.

Onosato improved to 6-2 while fifth-ranked maegashira Tobizaru saw his record drop to 5-3.

The 24-year-old Onosato is bidding to become the first wrestler to win a championship in his ozeki debut since 2006 when Hakuho did it.

Kotozakura Continues His Strong Kyushu Basho Campaign

Kotozakura, seeking his first championship, had his hands full with Churanoumi (2-6) but used a superb twisting overarm throw to send the No 4 maegashira toppling to the dirt while staying tied for the lead at 7-1.

Onokatsu, who was handed his first loss on the previous day, got back in the win column to stay tied for the lead when he got both arms around Asakoryu and used a frontal force-out for the win.

No 15 maegashira Onokatsu of Mongolia improved to 7-1 while 17th-ranked Asakoryu dropped to 3-5.

Onokatsu made his top division debut in the September tournament when he went 7-8 and is certain to improve on that mark in Fukuoka.

Sixth-ranked maegashira Takanosho stayed tied for the lead at 7-1 when he deployed a series of powerful arm thrusts to send ninth-ranked Midorifuji (3-5) over the straw ridge.

Takerufuji Remains in the Kyusho Basho Title Hunt

March tournament winner Takerufuji, a No 16 maegashira, overpowered Ryuden with a powerful frontal push-out to improve to 6-2. No 13 maegashira Ryuden dropped to 2-6.

Takerufuji electrified the sumo world when he won the March tournament with a 13-2 record in his top division debut. It was the first time in 110 years for a wrestler to achieve the feat.

The native of Aomori Prefecture injured his ankle on the penultimate day of the Spring Basho, but he came back on the final day to win the Emperor's Cup.

But the win took its toll as his ankle injury resulted in him being mostly absent for the next two tournaments, which resulted in Takerufuji being demoted to the juryo division.

He went 13-2 to win the juryo division championship in September and is now back in the elite division looking to work his way back up the rankings.

Wakatakakage Heaps More Misery on Hiradoumi

In other bouts, No 2 maegashira Wakatakakage deployed a superb under-shoulder swing-down to send top maegashira Hiradoumi toppling to the dirt surface.

Wakatakakage improved to 5-3 while Hiradoumi slumped to a 1-7 record and will have to win all his remaining bouts to salvage a winning record.

Kyushu native and komusubi Shodai spun top maegashira Oho around and shoved him out from behind to pick up his third win against five losses. Oho fell to 2-6.

In an all-sekiwake showdown, Daieisho used a powerful thrust to the neck to send former ozeki Kirishima out over the edge. Daieisho secured a fifth victory against three losses. Kirishima dropped to an unflattering 2-6.