Sumo: Aonishiki keeps sole lead, extends streak against hobbled Hoshoryu

TOKYO - Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki took another step toward consecutive championships Friday at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament as he continued his head-to-head dominance over injury-hampered yokozuna Hoshoryu.

The 21-year-old sensation, contesting his first meet since being promoted to sumo's second-highest rank, remained the outright leader of the 15-day competition while improving to 4-0 in head-to-head meetings with Mongolian-born grand champion Hoshoryu.