Yokozuna Kakuryu cleared a big hurdle in his push for the title he missed out on at the previous tournament, beating komusubi Ichinojo on Day 11 of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament to remain unbeaten in Osaka on Wednesday.
The 215-kilogram komusubi caught Kakuryu in the middle of the ring and tried to advance forward. However, the 155-kilogram yokozuna held up under the pressure, and began moving forward himself to eventually force the massive Ichinojo out of the ring. Ichinojo dropped to 8-3.
It was a big win for Kakuryu, as he avoided a repeat of the New Year tournament in January. The yokozuna also collected 10 straight wins from the start of that tournament, but he lost on Day 11, the first of four straight losses that ultimately cost him the title.
No. 6 maegashira Kaisei remained one win behind Kakuryu. Kaisei, whose winning streak was snapped at 9 by Ichinojo the previous day, picked up his 10th win by forfeit after No. 3 maegashira Takakeisho withdrew from the tournament.
Ozeki Takayasu improved to 9-2 by beating sekiwake Tochinoshin, winner of the New Year tournament.
Takayasu pushed Tochinoshin after the jump-off and strongly advanced forward. The Georgian wrestler slapped down the ozeki as he went out of the ring, but it was later determined that Tochinoshin's heel had gone out before that exchange.
Tochinoshin's hopes to win back-to-back titles faded as he dropped to 7-4.
Ozeki Goeido notched his kachikoshi eighth win, quickly sending No. 4 maegashira Shodai out of the ring.
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