NAGOYA - Yokozuna Hoshoryu stumbled to his second defeat after six days at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday as Ukrainian rank-and-filer Shishi became the only wrestler boasting a perfect record.
Hoshoryu (4-2) was seemingly in a comfortable position against Hakunofuji (5-1) after quickly securing a left overarm belt hold, but the No. 3 maegashira showed good tenacity to stay inside the ring at Nagoya's IG Arena.
While the grand champion went for a forceful right armlock throw, Hakunofuji stood firm and came up with a spectacular twisting backward knee trip as both wrestlers fell to the ground. The gyoji referee initially named Hoshoryu the winner, but Hakunofuji was handed the victory instead following the ringside judges' review.
Another yokozuna Onosato (3-3) secured his first back-to-back victories of the 15-day meet by overwhelming No. 3 maegashira Hiradoumi (1-5) in a force out.
No. 14 maegashira Shishi (6-0) kept pushing away No. 16 maegashira Asakoryu (2-4) before shoving his smaller counterpart out to maintain his best start to a meet in the elite makuuchi division.
Yokozuna promotion-hopeful Kirishima (5-1) got back to winning ways despite stern resistance from Yoshinofuji (3-3), with the ozeki managing to stay on the front foot throughout against the komusubi en route to a push-out win.
Demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki Kotozakura (3-3) was pushed out to his second straight loss after failing to find any openings against a bullish No. 2 maegashira Gonoyama (2-4). After a losing record in May's Summer meet, Kotozakura needs at least eight wins this month to stay at the second-highest rank.
Sekiwake Aonishiki (5-1) needed little time in dispatching Oho (1-5) after the Ukrainian star quickly grabbed a left underarm belt hold and dragged down the komusubi with a twisting throw.
An injury-induced absence in May on the back of a losing record in March's Spring meet sent Aonishiki back down to sekiwake, but he can reclaim his ozeki status by winning 10 or more bouts this month.
Sekiwake Atamifuji (4-2) shoved out No. 1 maegashira Fujinokawa (3-3) while Kotoshoho (3-3) was pulled down by No. 1 maegashira Takanosho (2-4).
No. 11 maegashira Wakanosho (5-1) initially matched No. 9 maegashira Fujiryoga (4-2) in a shoving battle but got overpowered and was eventually pushed down to the floor, suffering his first defeat and hurting his right knee in the process.
