A day after surviving a close call that preserved his unbeaten record, sekiwake Mitakeumi left no doubt in making it nine straight wins at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
Mitakeumi, looking to take advantage of the absence of all three yokozuna and new ozeki Tochinoshin in his quest for a first career title, quickly and efficiently shuffled out No. 5 maegashira Daishomaru moments after the jump-off to improve to 9-0.
No. 13 maegashira Asanoyama remained one win behind Mitakeumi when he pushed out No. 15 maegashira Ishiura for his eighth win, while No. 6 maegashira Endo fell off the pace when he was dealt a second loss.
Ozeki Takayasu, with a deft show of agility, and No. 13 maegashira Tochiozan remained in striking distance with wins that left them tied with Endo at 7-2.
Takayasu was forced to the edge by komusubi Tamawashi, who had secured a firm arm lock. But Takayasu evaded danger with a 360-degree spin, then only had to nudge Tamawashi (5-4) over the edge.
In addition to gunning for an elusive first Emperor's Cup, Takayasu is now one win away from the majority of wins he needs to keep his rank.
Endo was pushed out by No. 9 maegashira Yutakayama, an opponent he had beaten in two previous meetings.
The other ozeki, Goeido (6-3), produced one of his most impressive wins when he escaped a precarious situation on the edge to defeat No. 4 maegashira Kagayaki.
Goeido, who also needs a majority of wins to save his rank, went from balancing on one foot to somehow slipping around and throwing his opponent down.
Komusubi Shohozan kept alive his slim hopes of retaining his rank for the next tournament when he pushed out No. 1 maegashira Shodai in a result that left both wrestlers at 2-7 and no leeway to avoid a losing record.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
