Onosato Opens Up a 2-Win Cushion at the Autumn Basho

Sekiwake Onosato took a major step toward winning his second Emperor's Cup and securing promotion to ozeki on Tuesday, September 17 when he brushed aside Mongolian Kirishima to stay undefeated at the Autumn Basho.

Kirshima dodged to his side immediately after the face-off and tried to get a hold of Onosato's belt. But that didn't faze the tournament leader.

Onosato calmly turned to face the former ozeki and then shoved him out to improve to a perfect 10-0 for a two-bout buffer over four men with 8-2 records at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Among those at 8-2 is Kirishima, who tried the unorthodox move against Onosato but couldn't follow up and suffered his second loss of the 15-day tournament.

Wakatakakage Beats Endo

In other major bouts at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament,  seventh-ranked Wakatakakage knocked heads with Endo (7-3) at the face-off, dodged to his side and then thrust down the eighth-ranked maegashira. As a result, Wakatakakage wrapped up a winning record and improved to 8-2.

Ozeki Kotozakura (7-3) was pushed back to the edge but avoided what would have been a devastating fourth loss when he got a right-handed grip on the belt and shoved out sixth-ranked Gonoyama (3-7).

Hoshoryu, also an ozeki grappler, used a frontal-push down of Kotoshoho to post his fourth straight win while improving to 6-4. 

Fourth-ranked Kotoshoho, who has the unenviable task of taking on Onosato on Day 11 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, dropped to 5-5.

Hiradoumi got a solid left-handed grip on the belt of Tobizaru (3-7) and shoved the top maegashira out to move to 6-4. 

Third-ranked Wakamotoharu, Wakatakakage's brother, used a frontal force-out to dispatch No 2 maegashira Atamifuji (4-6) to pick up his sixth win against four losses.

No 2 maegashira Oho executed a hand pull-down technique to topple komusubi Daieisho while notching his sixth win against four losses. It's been a disappointing tournament for Daieisho, who dropped to 5-5.

Autumn Basho Success Stories: Nishikigi, Takayasu Wrap Up Winning Records

No 13 maegashira Nishikigi ensured he will finish the tournament with a majority of wins when he shoved out No 11 Kagayaki to move to 8-2. Kagayaki has struggled mightily and dropped to 1-9.

Takayasu improved to 8-2 and also wrapped up a winning record with a frontal force-out of fellow rank-and-filer Nishikifuji, who fell to 4-6.

"Things have been going well for me from Day 1," Takayasu said. "I've been able to put some injuries behind me and I want to continue to do my best."

Fifth-ranked maegashira Ura was pushed back to the edge but used a perfectly timed arm-bar throw to send sekiwake Abi out to raise his record to 6-4. Abi fell to 2-8 and will be moving down the ranks for the next tournament in November.

RELATED:

• Onosato Bulldozes Over Wakamotoharu to Improve to 9-0 at the Autumn Basho
• Onosato Stays in Control at the Autumn Basho with a Convincing Win Over Mitakeumi

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.