Sumo: Hoshoryu incurs costly loss to Hiradoumi, drops 3 wins off pace

Ozeki Hoshoryu suffered a potentially fatal blow to his yokozuna promotion bid Monday at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, dropping three wins off the pace with a second consecutive loss, courtesy of rank-and-file opponent Hiradoumi.Fellow ozeki Kotozakura was also beaten in an upset by rank-and-file grappler Ura on Day 9 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, where No. 14 maegashira Kinbozan remained undefeated with the outright lead.Hoshoryu (6-3), aiming to become sumo's next grand champion following the mid-tournament retirement of Terunofuji, was caught off guard at the jump as No. 5 ma…READ FULL ARTICLE