SUMO/ Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament: Hakuho, Ama share top spot

The Mongolian pair of yokozuna Hakuho and sekiwake Ama shared the lead with decisive wins Thursday at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, but Asashoryu dropped to two losses with a narrow loss to rank-and-filer Tochinonada.

Hakuho took his time with Hokutoriki at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, working his way in to get a grip with his left and then breaking the No. 2 maegashira's right-handed hold to cement his advantage. It took just one more thrust after that and Hokutoriki was over and out.

The yokozuna wasn't flashy, but he was focused, and at this pace he is certainly the wrestler to beat.

Asashoryu's loss was an extremely close call.

After failing to budge Tochinonada, the Mongolian went on the defensive and was pushed back to the brink. The No. 3 maegashira then unleashed a throw and the two fell simultaneously. Although Tochinonada appeared to hit first with his arm, the judges ruled that Asashoryu was already out of the bout and was the loser.

"I couldn"t tell who won," Tochinonada said. "I thought for sure I had lost when he came in at me."

It was Tochinonada"s 12th "gold star"--the sumo term for an upset over a yokozuna by a rank-and-file opponent.

Never in doubt, Kotooshu moved in to get a belthold with both hands and lift Russia's winless Wakanoho out. The defending champion has been hard to read this week, switching from strong and confident to clumsy and vulnerable, and his 3-2 record is a disappointment.

It is still possible that the Bulgarian grappler could get it all together and join the Mongolian yokozuna duo by taking the title and winning pretty much all of his remaining bouts--but that scenario is not looking very likely.

Ozeki Kotomitsuki used an armlock to drive Aminishiki back to the edge and keep the top maegashira from launching an effective attack. The win brings Kotomitsuki up to 4-1, a solid showing that includes a three-day streak from the starting day.

Sekiwake Ama, meanwhile, stayed in the lead with Hakuho by thrusting out ozeki Chiyotaikai, who is starting his meltdown early this tournament, with two losses in the first five days, a tempo that will barely keep him afloat.

Ozeki Kaio also lost again, his second defeat, to Kotoshogiku. The sekiwake drove him out to improve to 2-3.(IHT/Asahi: July 18,2008)