OSAKA — Estonia-born ozeki Baruto saw his bid for yokozuna promotion take a hit Wednesday as he was sent to a shock first defeat at the hands of Mongolian sekiwake Kakuryu on the fourth day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.Baruto's slapdash sumo style reared its ugly head in his first real test of the 15-day meet, when he was toppled onto his back by rival Kakuryu, who improved to a 4-0 mark to share the lead with lone yokozuna Hakuho, ozeki Harumafuji and rank-and-filer Takayasu.In the day's premier bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Baruto and Kakuryu fought to a standstill as they tussled for leverage and the ozeki tried spinning his opponent around violently to reposition himself, only for Kakuryu to deploy a leg trip near the edge for the victory."I am happy that I went on the offense," said Kakuryu, who is hoping to make a run at ozeki with a strong showing at the Osaka meet. "I want to continue fighting in my style for the rest of the tournament."Baruto won the New Year meet with an impressive 14-1 mark, but it is now anyone's guess how his defeat will affect him as he tries to secure promotion — needing to at least remain in the title race over the two weeks of competition.Hakuho, who is gunning for his 22nd career title, was never fooled for a second by winless Tokitenku, who dodged to the side at the face-off before the yokozuna tossed him from the ring with a beltless arm throw.Ozeki Kisenosato picked up his second consecutive victory after losses on the first two days, absorbing a fierce assault by winless Georgian Gagamaru before putting his opponent on the back leg with a salvo of strikes.Ozeki Harumafuji pulled off another win for sumo's second-highest rank, throttling Tochinowaka (1-3) with a throat grab before upending his opponent with a series of shoves to also remain among the unbeaten.
Showing posts with label Barutos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barutos. Show all posts
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Hakuho calls time on Baruto's perfect record
Yokozuna Hakuho drew a line in the sand Sunday, beating ozeki Baruto to deny the Estonian goliath a 15th win on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Sting in the tail: Hakuho (right) pushes Baruto out of the ring on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday. KYODOBaruto was trying to become the first wrestler at sumo's No. 2 rank to win a tournament with a perfect 15-0 mark since Hakuho achieved the feat at the 2007 summer basho, but Hakuho had other plans for sumo's jolly giant in the grand finale at Ryogoku Kokugikan.With his mother and wife in the audience looking on, Baruto came flying out at the charge and attempted to grab Hakuho's arm, but the yokozuna escaped his grasp before heaving Baruto out for a first loss in front of another full house.Hakuho, who had been bidding to win his third straight title, finished his campaign with a 12-3 mark."I feel great. I tried my best till the end. Next basho I will give it my all," said Baruto, who will need to continue to perform at a high level to make a run at promotion to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna.Asked if he felt much pressure during the 15-day meet, Baruto said, "Not really. I just remained focused on my own sumo each day. If I can continue to perform well like I did at this meet I have confidence that I can reach my ultimate goal, yokozuna," he said.In other noteworthy bouts, Kisenosato unleashed a salvo of strikes against Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (10-5) before wrapping his left hand around his opponent's mawashi and escorting him over the edge to finish his ozeki debut at 11-4.Ozeki Kotoshogiku, who needed a majority of wins, escaped with his eighth victory in an intense battle with Mongolian ozeki Harumafuji (11-4), getting his left hand inside before muscling his rival over the straw bales.Sekiwake Toyonoshima was twisted down to his knees by Kitataiki (2-13) to end on an unflattering 5-10 mark.Kakuryu chased out Myogiryu after a series of quick shoves to pick up his 10th win, further building his case for a run at ozeki at the spring basho in March.Mongolian sekiwake Kakuryu received his first Outstanding Performance Prize after being the first to send Hakuho to a defeat on the 10th day.
Sting in the tail: Hakuho (right) pushes Baruto out of the ring on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday. KYODOBaruto was trying to become the first wrestler at sumo's No. 2 rank to win a tournament with a perfect 15-0 mark since Hakuho achieved the feat at the 2007 summer basho, but Hakuho had other plans for sumo's jolly giant in the grand finale at Ryogoku Kokugikan.With his mother and wife in the audience looking on, Baruto came flying out at the charge and attempted to grab Hakuho's arm, but the yokozuna escaped his grasp before heaving Baruto out for a first loss in front of another full house.Hakuho, who had been bidding to win his third straight title, finished his campaign with a 12-3 mark."I feel great. I tried my best till the end. Next basho I will give it my all," said Baruto, who will need to continue to perform at a high level to make a run at promotion to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna.Asked if he felt much pressure during the 15-day meet, Baruto said, "Not really. I just remained focused on my own sumo each day. If I can continue to perform well like I did at this meet I have confidence that I can reach my ultimate goal, yokozuna," he said.In other noteworthy bouts, Kisenosato unleashed a salvo of strikes against Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (10-5) before wrapping his left hand around his opponent's mawashi and escorting him over the edge to finish his ozeki debut at 11-4.Ozeki Kotoshogiku, who needed a majority of wins, escaped with his eighth victory in an intense battle with Mongolian ozeki Harumafuji (11-4), getting his left hand inside before muscling his rival over the straw bales.Sekiwake Toyonoshima was twisted down to his knees by Kitataiki (2-13) to end on an unflattering 5-10 mark.Kakuryu chased out Myogiryu after a series of quick shoves to pick up his 10th win, further building his case for a run at ozeki at the spring basho in March.Mongolian sekiwake Kakuryu received his first Outstanding Performance Prize after being the first to send Hakuho to a defeat on the 10th day.
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