Sumo: Aonishiki's promotion bid in jeopardy as Hoshoryu takes joint lead

OSAKA - Yokozuna promotion-chasing ozeki Aonishiki suffered a potentially crucial third defeat after six days at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday as yokozuna Hoshoryu joined a seven-man leading pack with no wrestler remaining unbeaten.

Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki (3-3) seemingly put himself in a promising position at Edion Arena Osaka by grabbing a left underarm belt hold early against Oho (2-4), but the No. 3 maegashira moved to bar both arms of the ozeki, who failed to escape.