Yokozuna Hakuho avoided two straight losses while two ozeki wrestlers managed to earn their second win on the third day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Tuesday.
The tournament has become tumultuous, with all wrestlers of the rank of sekiwake or above having hit the dirt by the end of Day 2. Another yokozuna, Kakuryu, pulled out before the start of the tourney due to a back injury. Ozeki Goeido also withdrew from the tournament due to an ankle injury after the opening day.
In the final bout of Day 3, Hakuho, the lone yokozuna in the tournament, maintained his composure and picked up his second victory by throwing down komusubi Asanoyama, who defeated ozeki Takakeisho the previous day.
Ozeki Takakeisho exchanged shoves with top-ranked maegashira Daieisho, fresh off his stunning upset victory over Hakuho on Day 2. Their bout ended with the two wrestlers plunging out of the ring at almost the same time. The referee awarded Takakeisho the victory, a decision that was upheld after ringside judges conferred and determined that Daieisho's body hit the dirt faster.
Ozeki Takayasu, who currently holds kadoban status and must win a majority of bouts to avoid demotion, narrowly collected his second victory by throwing out No. 1 maegashira Okinoumi (1-2) with an overarm toss.
Sekiwake Tochinoshin, who aims to return to the rank of ozeki, avoided three straight losses after slapping down komusubi Endo (1-2).
In other action, No. 2 maegashira Myogiryu bagged his second win by pushing out komusubi Abi (1-2), who defeated Takayasu the previous day. Sekiwake Mitakeumi forced out No. 2 maegashira Meisei (2-1) to improve to 2-1.
Komusubi Hokutofuji improved to 2-1 by pushing out No. 3 maegashira Takarafuji (1-2).
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
