Yokozuna Kakuryu suffered his first loss of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on Thursday, effectively throwing the battle for the Emperor's Cup into a four-way race after 12 days.
Kakuryu (11-1) and Tochinoshin (8-4) locked up after the initial jump-off -- both with belt grips -- but the sekiwake relied on his power to push the yokozuna out of the ring.
It left the basho's lone yokozuna, No. 6 maegashira Kaisei (10-2) and two ozeki, who have three losses apiece, all in contention for the tourney title.
Kaisei (10-2) stumbled to his second loss as No. 1 maegashira Endo deftly danced along the bales to avoid him. Kaisei was unable to lock onto Endo's belt, and the Brazilian charged ahead to try and push his opponent out. But Endo (7-5) dodged Kaisei, who ran himself over the bales.
Kaisei and Kakuryu square off today.
Meanwhile, ozeki Takayasu fell to No. 5 maegashira Chiyomaru (6-6) for his third loss. He attempted to throw Chiyomaru, but the No. 5 maegashira pulled Takayasu to his right at the edge of the ring and the ozeki stepped out.
Ozeki Goeido forced out komusubi Ichinojo (8-4) for his ninth win.
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