Yokozuna Kakuryu maintained his one-loss record and took the sole lead at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament after defeating sekiwake Tochinoshin on Day 14 of the summer tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Saturday.
If Kakuryu wins today's bout against yokozuna Hakuho in the tournament's finale, Kakuryu will win his second straight title. However, if Kakuryu loses his bout and Tochinoshin beats No. 5 maegashira Ikioi, it will force a playoff between the two wrestlers.
In the bout between the two tournament leaders, the two wrestlers grabbed each other's mawashi belts after the initial charge. But Kakuryu apparently secured the sekiwake's belt more firmly. After more than 25 seconds of struggle to take advantage, Kakuryu threw down Tochinoshin (12-2) with a strong right arm at the edge of the ring.
Meanwhile, yokozuna Hakuho lost a chance to win the tournament after suffering a third loss. Sekiwake Ichinojo threw down the yokozuna with his upper left arm in a quick job. Ichinojo earned his kachikoshi majority of eight wins in the tourney.
Popular komusubi Endo (3-11) suffered five straight losses after returning to the tourney after three absences. No. 4 maegashira Chiyotairyu pushed the komusubi out of the ring in a quick bout.
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