Komusubi Takakeisho continued his impressive run at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, overwhelming ozeki Tochinoshin to cement his position as the sole leader through nine days on Monday in Fukuoka.
Takakeisho's match, the last of the day, was virtually over at the jump-off. The diminutive komusubi's powerful two-hand push knocked the muscular ozeki back off his feet, and then he quickly shoved the ozeki out of ring to improve to 8-1.
"There's six more days," Takakeisho said during a postmatch TV interview. "This day is over, so I'll prepare for tomorrow."
Tochinoshin (4-5) became the second ozeki to succumb to Takakeisho. The up-and-coming komusubi defeated Goeido on Day 2, following an opening-day win over yokozuna Kisenosato, who later withdrew from the basho.
Ozeki Takayasu, the remaining top-ranked wrestler whom Takakeisho has not faced, stayed on his heels by beating No. 4 maegashira Yoshikaze for his seventh win. After delivering a couple of thrusts at the jump-off, the ozeki quickly sidestepped to slap the maegashira to the surface.
Other wrestlers with two losses are all low-ranked wrestlers -- No. 9 maegashira Daieisho, No. 12 Aoiyama and No. 13 Onosho.
Ozeki Goeido pulled down No. 5 maegashira Chiyotairyu to improve to 6-3 and keep his hopes alive.
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