Two wrestlers in the spotlight at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament both rebounded -- although narrowly -- from losses the previous day to remain in the title race on Saturday at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Yokozuna Kisenosato, who is seeking a comeback after missing all or part of the last eight tournaments, seemed to have been thrown down by No. 4 maegashira Chiyonokuni, but his opponent's foot had stepped down outside of the ring before the throw. The yokozuna, who suffered his first loss on Friday, improved to 6-1.
Sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-1), winner of the Nagoya grand tournament in July, also survived a scare and bounced back from a loss the previous day. The sekiwake, who is seeking promotion to ozeki, was forced to the edge of the ring by powerful thrusts from komusubi Takakeisho. But in his last attempt, the sekiwake sidestepped along the straw bales, using Takakeisho's momentum to drag the maegashira to the dirt.
The two other yokozuna -- Hakuho and Kakuryu -- maintained their perfect records. Hakuho easily notched his seventh straight win after No. 3 maegashira Endo seemed to have collapsed to the ground by himself, while Kakuryu pushed out No. 3 maegashira Shodai.
All three ozeki won on Day 7. Takayasu also stayed unbeaten, slapping komusubi Tamawashi to the dirt. Tochinoshin, who withdrew in the middle of the Nagoya tournament, forced out sekiwake Ichinojo for his fifth win, three away from the majority of wins needed to retain his rank. Goeido (6-1) pushed out No. 2 maegashira Chiyotairyu.
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