While the sumo world buzzed about the retirement of yokozuna Kisenosato, the wrestlers at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament remained focused on the business at hand, with yokozuna Hakuho and five others emerging undefeated after the fourth day of action Wednesday.
Hakuho, who sat out the previous Kyushu tournament after undergoing surgery on his right knee and ankle, dealt No. 2 maegashira Hokutofuji his first loss by the slimmest of margins at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Hokutofuji fought off a slapping attack and had Hakuho, winner of a record 41 titles, standing straight up and perched on one foot at the edge. As the maegashira tried to finish him off, Hakuho twisted to the side and the two sailed out of the ring together. The judges confirmed the ring referee's decision that Hakutofuji had hit down an instant sooner, giving Hakuho the win.
The other yokozuna, Kakuryu (2-2), ended a two-match losing streak by surviving a fierce exchange of shoves with komusubi Myogiryu (1-3), knocking his opponent off balance with a quick slapdown, then moving in for the kill and pushing him out.
No. 2 maegashira Nishikigi, who defeated Kakuryu on Tuesday, was awarded the victory by default from Kisenosato to join the leaders at 4-0. Kisenosato announced his retirement after losing his first three bouts.
As miserable as Kisenosato's start had been, the trio of ozeki have hardly fared better, with Tochinoshin and Goeido both suffering their fourth straight losses, although Takayasu managed to even his record at 2-2 with a victory.
Tochinoshin was put on his heels from the jump-off against sekiwake Tamawashi (3-1) and temporarily fought away from the edge, but was eventually shuffled out the ring. Goeido lost a marathon bout with No. 1 maegashira Ichinojo (3-1), who bided his time during an extended stalemate before forcing the action and forcing Goeido over the edge.
Takayasu, a Tagonoura stablemate of Kisenosato still looking for his first career title, used a classic slapping attack to shove out No. 1 maegashira Tochiozan.
One wrestler who has been the focus of attention is sekiwake Takakeisho, who won the Kyushu tournament in the absence of the three yokozuna. His bid for a repeat, however, hit a bump when he fell to nemesis and komusubi Mitakeumi.
Mitakeumi, who improved to 4-0, kept his base and bulled Takakeisho out the ring. He now has beaten Takakeisho in four straight tournaments, including handing him one of his two losses when he won the Kyushu tournament.
Mitakeumi won last year's Nagoya tournament as a sekiwake, but lost his rank after going 7-8 in November.
In another battle between unbeaten wrestlers, No. 6 maegashira Onosho was awarded the victory by disqualification when No. 5 maegashira Aoiyama was judged to have gotten a finger in Onosho's top-knot while pressing him down to the ground. Grabbling the top-knot is an illegal move.
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