Day 13

BULGARIAN SEKIWAKE Kotooshu gives a hand to Asashoryu after giving the Mongolian yokozuna the first loss of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka on Friday. Promotion to ozeki all but assured after force-out victory in third bout.

Kotooshu gets win against Asashoryu

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu exacted swift revenge over rampant grand champion Asashoryu on Friday by handing the Mongolian his first defeat on the 13th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka.

Kotooshu (10-3) erased the painful memory of his playoff defeat to the bruiser from Ulan Bator at the autumn meet in September as he stood firm at the charge and overpowered the yokozuna (12-1) at the edge to all but guarantee promotion to ozeki.

The win also gave fresh hope to ozeki Chiyotaikai (11-2) who sits one win off the pace after winning an all-ozeki battle against Kaio.

Given their history and Asashoryu's recent dominance, especially in Fukuoka, Kotooshu was obviously pleased with his efforts.

"I lost twice to him (Asashoryu) last time so badly wanted to win this one," said Kotooshu.

The key to thw win, Kotooshu added, was an aggressive and unrelenting style. "I was able to go on attack and wrestle the way I wanted to so I'm delighted. I think I've been able to relax a bit since I got a winning record," added the 22-year-old pin-up.

Kotooshu also denied Asashoryu the chance to set a new record of 83 wins in a year, surpassing the 82 that equaled the previous record set by former yokozuna Kitanoumi in 1978.

Chiyotaikai stayed in contention with a surprisingly easy win over ozeki rival Kaio. He quickly took control and got behind Kaio (9-4) after the charge before squashing his opponent to the dirt with a routine shove.

Komusubi Hakuho huffed and puffed but could not find a way past former ozeki Miyabiyama (9-4) and went down in installments at the edge of the ring to drop to 8-5.

But sekiwake Kotomitsuki outlasted Futeno to secure an eighth win, slapping the stubborn No. 2 maegashira before thrusting him out of the ring.

In other bouts, sumo jester Takamisakari's (7-6) bark proved bigger than his bite again and he was denied a winning record for the second day in a row after being dumped to defeat by Russian maegashira Hakurozan (9-4).

Roho (9-4) completed a winning double for the Russian siblings in sumo's top flight when he followed up his younger brother's win with an equally impressive slap-down victory over Jumonji (8-5).

Georgian No. 6 maegashira Kokkai (7-6), the first European wrestler to grace the elite makuuchi division, edged toward a winning record by forcing out 12th-ranked Wakatoba (5-8).

Meanwhile, the tournament ended on a sad note for gentle giant Kotonowaka, who was saddled with a losing 5-8 record with a defeat to 13th-ranked Shunketsu in his last bout as an active rikishi.

The towering 37-year-old, who retired to take over his stable from father-in-law Sadogatake, wiped away a stream of tears and struggled for words before thanking his fans for all the support he has received during his 21-year career.

Day 12

Sekiwake Kotooshu pushes out komusubi Hakuho on the 12th day of action at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka.

Asashoryu nears Kyushu title

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu equaled a 27-year-old record with a classy win over Kotomitsuki on Thursday to remain in total control at 12-0 at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Asashoryu, who has lost only five bouts in 2005, matched the record of 82 wins in a year set by former yokozuna Kitanoumi in 1978 in the day's finale at Fukuoka Kokusai Center and preserved his flawless record.

After treating Kotomitsuki to a dance around the center of the ring, he got both arms around the sekiwake and condemned him to fifth defeat with a well-timed overarm throw.

Asashoryu and Kitanoumi share the record with five tournament titles in a year. A victory here in Fukuoka will make the 25-year-old from Ulan Bator the only wrestler ever to win all six meets in a year.

Meanwhile, ozeki Chiyotaikai stayed in touch with the leader at 10-2 after twisting Aminishiki (5-7) down to the sandy surface, while local favorite Kaio was another win off the pace.

His ozeki status preserved after Wednesday's win over teenager Kisenosato, Kaio barely broke sweat in bulldozing out Mongolian Ama (5-7) to join Kotooshu and Tochinohana on 9-3.

Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu (9-3) took another major stride toward promotion to sumo's second rank of ozeki, forcing out Mongolian komusubi Hakuho (8-4) at the second attempt after ringside judges could not decide on a winner in the first bout.

In the autumn tourney in September, Kotooshu lost to Asashoryu in a championship playoff but finished with an impressive 13-2 record.

Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi has said the 22-year-old needs at least 10 wins this time out to be considered for promotion to ozeki.

Crowd favorite Takamisakari (7-5) was made to wait another day to post a winning record and his defeat to former ozeki Miyabiyama was met with a collective groan from his adoring fans.

The ninth-ranked maegashira could not escape the clutches of Miyabiyama, who bundled out Takamisakari for his eighth victory.

In the lower ranks, Tochinohana continued his impressive return to the elite makuuchi division, forcing out towering maegashira Kotonowaka (5-7) for his ninth win.

Day 11

Sekiwake Kotooshu pushes sixth-ranked maegashira Kokkai out of the ring on the 11th day of the Grand Sumo Tournament in Kyushu.

Asashoryu tops Tamanoshima, stays undefeated

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu survived a scare to maintain his perfect record entering the final stretch of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday.

Asashoryu (11-0) stayed on track for an unprecedented seventh straight Emperor's Cup after withstanding the threat from Tamanoshima at the edge of the ring before toppling the top-ranked maegashira with a sudden burst of power at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Asashoryu uncharacteristically backpedaled straight from the face-off but did not allow Tamanoshima (6-5) to add the finishing touch while getting inside with a right-hand belt grip and twisting him down on his back.

Asashoryu, who has lost only five bouts this year, is now one win away from matching the record of 82 wins in a year set by former yokozuna Kitanoumi in 1978.

Asashoryu and Kitanoumi share the record with five tournament titles in a year. A victory here in Fukuoka will make the 25-year-old from Ulan Bator the only wrestler ever to win all six meets in a year.

Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu rebounded from his loss Tuesday to top-ranked maegashira Tamanoshima to beat Kokkai for his eighth win and stay in the hunt for promotion to sumo's second-highest rank.

After a fierce exchange of slaps, Kotooshu seized control of the match with a belt grip and crouched forward to shove out his opponent from the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

In the autumn tourney in September, Kotooshu lost to Asashoryu in a championship playoff but finished with an impressive 13-2 record. Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi has said the 22-year-old needs at least 10 wins this time out to be considered for promotion to ozeki.

In other key bouts, ozeki Chiyotaikai remained two wins off the pace after knocking Kotomitsuki virtually out of title contention with a well-timed slap that sent the sekiwaki sprawling on the dohyo.

Chiyotaikai (9-2) emerged the only closest challenger to Asashoryu after rank-and-filer Jumonji fell to his third loss, while Kotomitsuki slipped to a record of 7-4 with his third loss in as many days, stalling what had been a strong start.

Local favorite Kaio delighted the crowd as he escaped from the danger of losing his ozeki rank with his eighth win after a powerful belt-grip throw against 19-year-old Kisenosato (4-7).

Akebono Taro - The 64th Yokozuna

Chijanofuji's Sumo Colosseum

Takanohana Koji - The 65th Yokozuna

Wakanohana Masaru - The 66th Yokozuna

Musashimaru Koyo - The 67th Yokozuna

From Chijanofuji's Sumo Colosseum

Asashoryu Akinori, born as Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj

Asashoryu Akinori - The 68th Yokozuna, born as Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj on September 27, 1980 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, is the first Mongolian sumo wrestler to reach the rank of yokozuna (grand champion).

Day 10 - Asashoryu on track for sweep

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Yokozuna Asashoryu showed no mercy against Mongolian compatriot Ama and solidified his lead on the 10th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday.

Asashoryu entertained the crowd at Fukuoka Kokusai Center with a bout rarely seen in top-level sumo, spinning around his pint-sized opponent from behind in the middle of the ring and lifting him also from behind over the straw bales to keep his unbeaten record intact.

Ama, a No. 5 maegashira, is at 5-5 after his first meeting with the grand champion.

With his 10th straight win, Asashoryu took another step closer to an unprecedented seventh straight Emperor's Cup and a sweep of all six tournaments this year. He is now two wins clear of ozeki Chiyotaikai and rank-and-filer Jumonji with five days left in the tournament.

Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu was dealt a fresh blow in his bid to earn promotion to sumo's second highest rank.

Kotooshu appeared headed for an eighth win when he shoved top-ranked maegashira Tamanoshima (6-4) to the edge of the ring with a tight two-handed belt grip. But Tamanoshima circled along the straw ridge and unleashed a last-gasp armpit throw that spun Kotooshu upside down and eventually toppled him on his back for his third loss.

Kotooshu lost to Asashoryu in a championship playoff in September but posted an impressive 13-2 record. He is believed to secure promotion to ozeki with double-digit wins here in Fukuoka under the Japan Sumo Association's loosely set standards.

In other key bouts, local favorite Kaio came within one win of keeping his ozeki rank with arguably his best match of the tournament.

Kaio (7-3) took the belt of Kotomitsuki (7-3) moments after the face-off and then shoved forward to put away the bout in a matter of seconds, sending the sekiwake to his second loss in as many days.

Fellow Kyushu native Chiyotaikai notched his eighth win in equally convincing fashion as the ozeki sent 19-year-old No. 5 maegashira Kisenosato (4-6) backpedaling out of the ring following a string of unstoppable slaps and thrusts.

Mongolian komusubi Hakuho improved to 7-3 win after bulldozing his way to a comfortable shove-out victory over second-ranked maegashira Futeno.

Day 9

Sekiwake Kotooshu overpowers No. 5 maegashira Ama on Monday during the ninth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Asashoryu throws down Kyokutenho

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Yokozuna Asashoryu opened up a two-win lead on the ninth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday after his closest challenger sekiwake Kotomitsuki tumbled to his second loss.

Asashoryu took a step closer to an unprecedented seventh straight Emperor's Cup as the 15-day meet entered the second week, toying with veteran komusubi Kyokutenho to preserve his unbeaten record at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

The Mongolian grand champion put both hands under the armpits of Kyokutenho immediately after the face-off and after an unsuccessful throw attempt, wrapped up the match with a well-timed belt-grip throw.

Asashoryu (9-0), who is also looking to become the first wrestler to win all six tournaments in a single year, set a career high of 79 wins in a year.

Kotomitsuki, who was one win off the pace entering his ninth-day bout, suffered a setback in his title chase after being sent hurling out of the ring by up-and-coming 19-year-old Kisenosato.

Kisenosato capitalized on Kotomitsuki's halfhearted charge at the face-off and easily caught the sekiwake off-balance with a powerful shove before shrugging off an attempted throw to put away his opponent. Kisenosato improved to 4-5 with his third win in four days.

Promotion-chasing Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu remained two wins off the pace after a convincing win over No. 5 maegashira Ama.

Kotooshu crouched forward from the outset of his match against Ama and quickly forced the pint-sized Mongolian over the straw bales for his seventh win.

Kotooshu kept alive his hopes of earning promotion to sumo's second-highest rank. He lost to Asashoryu in a championship playoff in September but posted an impressive 13-2 record and needs an equally strong showing this time out to earn promotion to ozeki.

In other key bouts, local favorite ozeki Kaio came within two wins of keeping his rank after defeating fourth-ranked maegashira Iwakiyama (2-7), who was slapped down to the sandy surface.

Fellow ozeki Chiyotaikai improved to 7-2 with a similar slap-down technique against No. 1 maegashira Tamanoshima (5-4).

Meanwhile, Komusubi Hakuho eased past top-ranked maegashira Hokutoriki.

Day 8

Ozeki Kaio forces second-ranked maegashira Kakizoe out of the ring on the eighth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Asashoryu makes it eight straight

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu toppled injury-hit Futeno on Sunday to stay in the lead with his eighth straight victory at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu, meanwhile, bounced back from a defeat a day earlier with a one-sided victory over Iwakiyama to stay two behind the leader at the 15-day meet.

Asashoryu, who is aiming for an unprecedented seventh straight victory, moved quickly in for the kill and sent the second-ranked maegashira to the clay with a powerful outer-leg trip to improve to 8-0 in the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Futeno, who pulled out of the tournament with an ankle injury but returned after four rest days, fell to his fourth defeat.

Sekiwake Kotomitsuki is one off the pace, chasing the yokozuna at 7-1, after a convincing win over top-ranked maegashira Tamonoshima (5-3).

Asashoryu beat Kotooshu in playoff at the autumn basho in September and has a chance to become the first wrestler to win all six titles in a year.

Kotooshu, who is aiming for ozeki promotion with 13 or more wins here, quickly grabbed Iwakiyama's belt and charged forward before depositing his opponent outside the ring. Iwakiyama slipped to 2-6.

Hometown favorite Chiyotaikai (6-2) stormed out of the crouch with a salvo of his trademark thrusts and slaps against Mongolian Hakuho (5-3), never relenting as he barged out the komusubi.

Fellow ozeki Kaio (5-3), who is also from Kyushu, charged like a bull after the face-off and knocked Kakizoe (1-7) over the straw bales after getting both hands wrapped around his opponent.

Kaio, who pulled out of the autumn basho with a hamstring injury and faces relegation for a record-tying eighth time, moved within three wins of keeping his rank.

In other major bouts, Russian Roho hit Tochinohana (5-3) with a barrage of slaps to the body, never giving his opponent a chance to counter as he knocked him over the ridge to pick up his sixth win.

Up-and-coming teenager Kisenosato (3-5), who defeated Kotooshu on Saturday, was scooped up by Dejima, who charged full throttle to post his first win.

Takanowaka and Toyonoshima tussled back and forth, neither giving an inch, and had to take a "mizu-iri" water break after they came to a standstill.

Day 7

Sekiwake Kotomituki forces out No. 1 maegashira Hokutoriki in action on Friday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka.

Asashoryu keeps slate clean

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu gave top-ranked maegashira Hokutoriki a sumo clinic Saturday as he maintained the lead with a spotless record for his seventh straight victory at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu, however, suffered his second shock defeat at the hands of teenager Kisenosato to move a step back in his hopes of promotion to sumo's second highest rank of ozeki, on a day of upsets at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

In the day's finale, Asashoryu proved too quick for Hokutoriki, moving in swiftly after the face-off before lifting his opponent out with both hands to move to 7-0. Hokutoriki slipped to an unflattering 1-6.

The Mongolian yokozuna is aiming to win the Emperor's Cup for an unprecedented seventh straight time and a victory here would also make him the only wrestler to ever win all six meets in a year.

Kotooshu, who lost to Asashoryu in playoff at the Autumn Basho in September but finished with an impressive 13-2 record, showed no signs of resistance as he was promptly shoved onto heels and dumped into the ringside seats to fall to 5-2. Nineteen-year-old Kisenosato improved to 3-4.

Kotooshu had a nightmare start to the 15-day meet with a first-day loss and after a win by default, bounced back to win five straight, but a second defeat has now dented his hopes of becoming the first wrestler from Europe to win a title.

In the day's other upset, ozeki Kaio, who faces relegation for a record-tying eighth time, was defeated by Mongolian komusubi Hakuho (5-2) in a weak display as he dropped to his third loss. Kaio must post eight wins to keep his rank.

Chiyotaikai, meanwhile, peppered injury-hit Futeno with a salvo of slaps and thrusts to the body before ramming the No. 2 maegashira over the edge to improve to 5-2. Futeno, who returned to the meet after four rest days due to injury, slipped to his third defeat.

In other key bouts, sekiwake Kotomitsuki (6-1) forced out Miyabiyama (4-3).

Day 6 - Asashoryu retains sole lead at Kyushu

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Grand champion Asashoryu disposed of Kakizoe to maintain the lead with an undefeated record after the sixth day of action at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.

Asashoryu never gave the second-ranked maegashira a chance in day's finale to improve to a perfect 6-0, while promotion-chasing sekiwake Kotooshu rolled over komusubi Kyokutenho to stay hot in pursuit among five wrestlers at 5-1 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Kakizoe, who fell to 0-10 in career bouts against the yokozuna, was sent backpedaling right after the face-off in a flurry of slaps, leaving him at 1-5.

The Mongolian yokozuna is aiming to win the Emperor's Cup for an unprecedented seven straight time. A victory here would also make him the only wrestler to ever win all six meets in a year.

Kotooshu, who lost to Asashoryu in playoff at the autumn basho in September but finished with an impressive 13-2 record, got both hands wrapped around the belt of Mongolian Kyokuteno (3-3) before barging him over the ridge in a matter of seconds.

The Bulgarian giant started the 15-day meet with a shock defeat, but after notching a win by default, he has bounced back as he shoots for promotion to sumo's second highest rank of ozeki and a shot at becoming the first wrestler from Europe to win a title.

In other key bouts, Miyabiyama (4-2), a No. 4 maegashira got his third ozeki kill of the meet, tossing down Chiyotaikai (4-2) by the head immediately out of the crouch.

Meanwhile, fellow ozeki Kaio, who is in danger of losing his rank for a record-tying eight time, sent Dejima to his sixth straight defeat with a beltless arm throw to move a step closer to easing his relegation worries.

Sekiwake Kotomitsuki made mincemeat of top-ranked maegashira Hokutoriki (1-5), ramming out his opponent in a textbook frontal assault to stay one off the pace at 5-1.

Roho, an eight-ranked maegashira from Russia, slipped on a banana peel as he was sent sprawling to the dirt after dropping his head too low after the face-off in a bout with Mongolian fifth-ranked maegashira Ama, leaving both men at 4-2.

Up-and-coming teenager Kisenosato got a left-handed grip on the belt of Tamanoshima (4-2) before bellying out his opponent to improve to 2-4, while komusubi Hakuho (4-2) did a balancing act on one leg before flipping down Iwakiyama (2-4).

Georgian Kokkai got into barroom scuffle with winless Takanowaka before lowering his head and barreling out the No. 10 maegashira to improve to 3-3.

Fan favorite Takamisakari got the crowd hyped with his pre-bout histrionics before marching out Wakatoba in one-sided affair, improving his record to 4-2 while leaving his opponent at 2-4.