With yet another win, it might start feeling like deja vu for yokozuna Kakuryu, which isn't necessarily a good thing.
Kakuryu survived a unique exchange with No. 4 maegashira Shodai to remain one of two undefeated wrestlers after nine days of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday in Osaka.
Backed to the edge for a second time, Kakuryu shrugged Shodai aside with such power that the maegashira's momentum carried him over the edge about two meters away. Kakuryu could only smile at the strange ending.
At the previous tournament in January, Kakuryu came out like gang-busters and reeled off 10 straight wins. As the lone yokozuna in the field by that time -- as is currently the case in Osaka -- he looked to have an open path to the championship.
Instead, he proceeded to lose four straight bouts and was out of contention as maegashira-ranked Tochinoshin, now a sekiwake, walked off with the Emperor's Cup.
Keeping pace with Kakuryu this time is No. 6 maegashira Kaisei, who continued his amazing start by chalking up his ninth win with a victory over No. 9 maegashira Ryuden.
Kaisei, a 1.94-meter, 205-kilogram Brazilian, secured a right overhand belt hold off the jump-off, rotated slightly for leverage and then bulled Ryuden out of the ring.
Ozeki Takayasu joined a large trailing group at seven wins by throwing down komusubi Chiyotairyu (1-8), while a misstep by fellow ozeki Goeido kept him from doing so.
Goeido looked to have the right idea when, at the edge, he side-stepped a charging No. 5 maegashira Chiyomaru. But he inadvertently put his toes down outside the ring as Chiyomaru sped by, a third defeat that was confirmed by a judges conference.
Tochinoshin kept his hopes of a second straight title alive when he quickly shuffled out No. 4 maegashira Shohozan for his seventh win.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
