Sekiwake Mitakeumi managed to stay at one loss on Day 13 of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday, and the sole leader of the basho needs just one more victory to clinch his first title.
In the final bout of the day, Mitakeumi withstood the initial charge from Goeido (9-4), and used the ozeki's momentum against him. Mitakeumi eventually pushed his opponent out once the ozeki went past him near the bales.
Four wrestlers started the day behind the sekiwake with nine wins, but only two survived to stay in the title chase in a basho missing all three yokozuna and newly minted ozeki Tochinoshin.
No. 9 maegashira Yutakayama earned his 10th win by pushing out Tochiozan in a bout that quickly ended and eliminated the No. 13 maegashira from the championship chase.
No. 13 maegashira Asanoyama (10-3) also managed to force out No. 9 maegashira Myogiryu (8-5) after an exchange of slaps and thrusts.
Mitakeumi today faces Tochiozan, and when asked about the bout, the sekiwake said, "If I can execute my kind of sumo, I don't think I will lose."
Yutakayama and Asanoyama still have a mathematical chance of catching Mitakeumi and forcing a playoff, but must win their final two matches with the leader losing both of his.
Asanoyama faces No. 6 maegashira Endo (8-5), while Yutakayama takes on ozeki Takayasu (9-4), who defeated Mitakeumi on Day 12.
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