OSAKA - Sekiwake Kirishima took a giant step toward winning his third Emperor's Cup on Friday after No. 5 maegashira Kotoshoho lost to yokozuna Hoshoryu to leave both wrestlers two wins behind at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
With only two days remaining at the 15-day meet at Edion Arena Osaka, Kirishima can clinch the title by winning his bout on Saturday, with his return to ozeki, which was not expected before the tournament, now possibly in the cards.
While No. 3 maegashira Oho (6-7) got the better of the opening clash, Kirishima (12-1) recovered his position and produced solid shoves as he chased the rank-and-filer from one end of the raised ring to the other.
Oho desperately kept himself in the fight and forced a brief standstill in the middle, but his stamina ran out as Kirishima, who last won the elite makuuchi division in November 2023, sealed the win by a frontal crush out.
Kirishima went 11-4 as a No. 2 maegashira and sekiwake in the past two tournaments, and he now has 34 wins in three straight meets. Ozeki promotion is usually secured by getting 33 wins over three straight meets while fighting as sekiwake or komusubi.
Hoshoryu (10-3) began with his routine left-handed slap to the face against Kotoshoho (10-3), and it worked on this occasion, as a rattled Kotoshoho (10-3) was unable to apply much pressure despite moving forward before the grand champion easily slapped down the rank-and-filer.
Aonishiki (6-7) looked destined for the first losing record of his young sumo career before making a remarkable recovery to beat his fellow ozeki Kotozakura (8-5).
Lacking the power he showed while winning the last two tournaments, Aonishiki had his body turned at the edge by a left pulling overarm throw by Kotozakura, and a push from the back sent the Ukrainian star floundering along the straw bales.
But Aonishiki avoided stepping out and positioned himself to square off with Kotozakura again before fending off a following attack, leaving his opponent at the edge before forcing him out.
No. 10 maegashira Gonoyama (9-4) fell to his third straight defeat and dropped out of the title contention after Atamifuji (8-5) survived an early pressure at the edge before pushing his opponent all the way and out at the other end, securing a winning record on his komusubi debut.
Sekiwake Takayasu (6-7) was thrust down by No. 4 maegashira Takanosho (9-4) as he lost his sixth straight bout following a bright start to the tournament.
