SUMO/ Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament: Chiyotaikai knocked down a peg

It was business as usual for unbeaten Mongolian grand champions Asashoryu and Hakuho at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday, but ozeki Chiyotaikai lost his eighth bout and will be looking at a demotion next time out.

Hakuho, at 10-0, fumbled for a belt hold but was moving forward all the while and that was enough for him to eject No. 3 maegashira Tochiozan. The match wasn't Hakuho's best moment, but he wasn't facing much of a challenge to begin with and didn't need to display all of his talents.

Fighting for his rank, meanwhile, ozeki Chiyotaikai burst into defending champion Asashoryu, driving the yokozuna back to the edge only to be lifted off his feet and deposited out for his eighth loss. Chiyotaikai will fall to sekiwake for the next tournament, but can come back if he wins in the double digits.

Veteran Kaio picked up his 805th win in the top division with a surprisingly strong showing against Bulgaria's Kotooshu, who appeared to lose his footing under fire from Kaio's heavy thrusting attack. Kaio, nearing a sumo record with his career victories, has one more to go to achieve a winning tally come Sunday.

Despite the loss, Kotooshu is faring best among the ozeki at 8-2.

Mongolia's Harumafuji, putting together his first consecutive wins of the tournament, is finally getting into gear. He came out fast and hard against fellow-ozeki Kotomitsuki, impaling him with a thrusting attack and then using a hold with his left to drive him back and off balance. Harumafuji is even up at 5-5, while Kotomitsuki is narrowly in the winning ranks at 6-4.

Komusubi Goeido lunged into thin air and was sent flying in his bout against sekiwake Kakuryu, of Mongolia. Kakuryu moved well, getting to the side nicely as Goeido came blasting ahead. Both are trying to get back in the game, at 3-7.

Sekiwake Baruto, Estonia's contribution to the sumo world, never got a hold on top maegashira Takekaze and was pushed out for an embarrassing defeat that drops him to a 5-5 record and pretty much erases any hopes he had of getting promoted to the rank of ozeki.

Pushing out top maegashira Aminishiki, komusubi Kisenosato rose to 4-6, not a great record by any means but one that is likely to improve as his dance card gets a little easier.

No. 9 maegashira Yoshikaze continued to shine, marking his ninth win as he cruises through the rank-and-file. He beat No. 5 maegashira Kakizoe to keep his lead in the maegashira class and remains a longshot contender for the title, although his record is better because, being so far down the ladder, he hasn't had to take on any of the top opponents.(IHT/Asahi: November 25,2009)