Rookie Takerufuji on Brink of Winning Historic Title at Spring Basho

Makuuchi division debutant Takerufuji took a major step toward winning a history-making title on Friday, March 22 when he defeated Wakamotoharu at the Spring Basho.

Tekerufuji is bidding to become the first wrestler in 110 years to win the Emperor's Cup in his makuuchi division debut.

In his bout against sekiwake Wakamotoharu (7-6) at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, aka Edion Arena Osaka, No 17 maegashira Takerufuji got a left arm under the arm of his opponent before using a frontal force-out to improve to 12-1.

Takerufuji lost his first bout the previous day when he was thrown down by Mongolian Hoshoryu.

The Aomori Prefecture native is bidding to become the first rookie in the elite makuuchi division to win the Emperor's Cup since Ryogoku in 1914. He could wrap up the title on Saturday.

It's been quite a debut for Takerufuji. The 24-year-old beat Kotonowaka on Wednesday to tie legendary grand champion Taiho's record of 11 straight wins without a loss in a makuuchi division debut set in 1960.

Onosato Notches 10th Spring Basho Win

In other major bouts, another up-and-coming wrestler, Onosato, swatted down sekiwake Daieisho to earn his 10th win against three losses and remain alive in the title chase.

Daieisho fell to 5-8, meaning he will finish the 15-day tournament with a losing record.

Ozeki Hoshoryu kept his title hopes alive when he got his right arm around Gonoyama and thrust the sixth-ranked maegashira down to move to 10-3. Gonoyama fell to 9-4 and out of the title chase.

Takakeisho fought off a grip on the belt by Kotonowaka and shoved out the larger grappler to pick up the eighth win required to maintain his ozeki status for the next tournament in May.

Kotonowaka, who is making his ozeki debut in this tournament,  dropped to 9-4 and out of contention for the Emperor's Cup.

Atamifuji Seals Winning Record

No 2 maegashira Atamifuji wrapped up a winning record when he won his fourth straight bout to improve to 8-5 with a frontal force-out of fourth-ranked Hiradoumi, who fell to 7-6.

Top maegashira Asanoyama spun Abi around and thrust the komusubi down to raise his record to 8-5 and ensure himself of a winning record. Abi slipped to 8-5.

No 4 maegashira Tobizaru swatted down Ura, who went head over heels while toppling off the raised ring. Tobizaru picked up his seventh win against six losses while top maegashira and Osaka native Ura dropped to 6-7.

Nishikigi put an end to a marathon losing streak when he used an underarm throw at the edge to defeat No 2 maegashira Meisei (4-9) for just his second win of the tournament.

Komusubi Nishikigi, who beat yokozuna Terunofuji on Day 1 and then went on an 11-bout losing streak, improved to 2-11.

Ozeki Kirishima's nightmare tournament continued on Day 13 when he was tossed out by Kinbozan to fall to 3-10. No. 7 Kinbozan, who missed time with injury, improved to 6-5-2.

RELATED:

• Young Wrestlers Takerufuji and Onosato Continue to Dominate at Spring Basho
• Up-and-Comers Takerufuji and Onosato Take Charge at Spring Basho
• Elite Division Rookie Takerufuji Grabs the Lead at Spring Basho

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.