Komusubi Takakeisho maintained his spot atop the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, pushing out No. 2 maegashira Tamawashi (7-5) on Thursday to earn his 11th win on Day 12 in Fukuoka.
The two exchanged a barrage of thrusts after a solid jump-off before Takakeisho took the initiative with a nimble sidestep to dodge the maegashira's charge. The upstart komusubi then effortlessly slapped the off-balance Tamawashi out of the ring to move a step closer to earning his first Emperor's Cup.
The final bout of the day featured two ozeki, with Takayasu (10-2) surviving to stay in the chase for the tournament title with a victory over Tochinoshin (6-6).
After a thunderous jump-off, both ozeki had firm belt holds, but a deft pivot by Takayasu seemed to take Tochinoshin by surprise, as the towering Georgian found himself sent out of the ring by his fellow ozeki.
Four maegashira remain in the running at 9-3: No. 11 maegashira Okinoumi, No. 12 maegashira Aoiyama, No. 13 maegashira Onosho and No. 9 maegashira Daieisho.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
