Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho relaunched his bid for a third consecutive title with a satisfying victory over Kisenosato on Wednesday, while Estonian ozeki Baruto also won handsomely to maintain his slender lead heading into the final stretch of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.Kisenosato famously ended Hakuho's 63-bout winning streak at the 2010 Kyushu Basho, but there was only ever going to be one winner in the day's finale as the yokozuna quickly took control at Ryogoku Kokugikan.Looking to rebound from a shock first loss to Kakuryu on Tuesday, Hakuho wasted no time in grabbing Kisenosato's arm to set himself up for the kill, ushering out the ozeki to move into double digits at 10-1.Kisenosato dropped to 9-2 in his debut at sumo's second rank, tied with rank-and-filer Tochiozan.In the preceding bout, ozeki Harumafuji (8-3) stood no chance as a scowling Baruto ripped into the Mongolian with a flurry of meaty thrusts, easily shoving him over the straw bales.Former night club bouncer Baruto, whose easy smile and quirky sense of humor has endeared him to sumo fans, is seeking his first Emperor's Cup.Ozeki Kotooshu dropped further off the pace as Kakuryu claimed another major scalp, the Mongolian sekiwake picking his moment to upend the Bulgarian with a perfectly executed "shitatenage" underarm throw, leaving both men at 8-3."I am just trying to wrestle my brand of sumo in each bout and hopefully can keep going strong through the end of the tournament," said Kakuryu.Kotoshogiku, who has been frustratingly inconsistent in his second tournament at ozeki, moved back into the winning column at 6-5 with a routine forceout win over fourth-ranked maegashira Homasho (5-6).Sekiwake Toyonoshima traipsed back to the locker room contemplating a majority of losses after being rammed out by top-ranked maegashira Takekaze with alarming ease, while it was a day of mixed fortunes for sumo's fourth rank of komusubi.Wakakoyu slapped down No. 2 maegashira Okinoumi (2-9) to pick up only his third win, but Miyabiyama was sent out by a pulling overarm throw and condemned to a losing record by Aminishiki (6-5).
Showing posts with label rebounds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rebounds. Show all posts
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Kotoshogiku rebounds from opening-day defeat
Kotoshogiku rebounded from an opening day loss, ozeki debutant Kisenosato steamrolled another would-be opponent, and Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho ruled with an iron fist on the second day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
Brothers in arms: Harumafuji (right) throws Toyonoshima at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday. KYODOKotoshogiku, who suffered a shock defeat to Takekaze on Sunday, got a firm grip on Wakakoyu's (0-2) mawashi and bumped his opponent over the straw bales with his trademark "gaburiyori" belly forceout at Ryogoku Kokugikan to give the Sadagotake ozeki his first win of 2012."Yesterday I lost but today my body and mental state were in balance. I know what I did wrong the other day, so I was able to correct my mistake and make a fresh start," said Kotoshogiku."I have a responsibility as ozeki (to be in the title race). I can't be left behind by the other ozeki who are trying their best. I am working hard as usual, but the most important thing is winning and not just my sumo technique."Kisenosato (2-0), promoted to sumo's No. 2 rank after last year's Kyushu basho, was the quickest at the face-off against Aminishiki (0-2) and tossed the top-ranked maegashira down with a thrusting technique."It probably would've been better for me to finish him off quickly," said Kisenosato, who got his left hand inside at the tachiai. "I kept an eye on him for a second before executing a throw but I was more relaxed than yesterday."In the day's final bout, Hakuho sent Takekaze (1-1) retreating with a series of rapid-fire shoves before circling his opponent to send him sprawling with his right hand for his second straight win."I had just the right amount of offense and defense in that bout," said Hakuho.Hakuho is gunning for his 22nd career title, which would put him in a tie with former yokozuna Takanohana.
Brothers in arms: Harumafuji (right) throws Toyonoshima at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday. KYODOKotoshogiku, who suffered a shock defeat to Takekaze on Sunday, got a firm grip on Wakakoyu's (0-2) mawashi and bumped his opponent over the straw bales with his trademark "gaburiyori" belly forceout at Ryogoku Kokugikan to give the Sadagotake ozeki his first win of 2012."Yesterday I lost but today my body and mental state were in balance. I know what I did wrong the other day, so I was able to correct my mistake and make a fresh start," said Kotoshogiku."I have a responsibility as ozeki (to be in the title race). I can't be left behind by the other ozeki who are trying their best. I am working hard as usual, but the most important thing is winning and not just my sumo technique."Kisenosato (2-0), promoted to sumo's No. 2 rank after last year's Kyushu basho, was the quickest at the face-off against Aminishiki (0-2) and tossed the top-ranked maegashira down with a thrusting technique."It probably would've been better for me to finish him off quickly," said Kisenosato, who got his left hand inside at the tachiai. "I kept an eye on him for a second before executing a throw but I was more relaxed than yesterday."In the day's final bout, Hakuho sent Takekaze (1-1) retreating with a series of rapid-fire shoves before circling his opponent to send him sprawling with his right hand for his second straight win."I had just the right amount of offense and defense in that bout," said Hakuho.Hakuho is gunning for his 22nd career title, which would put him in a tie with former yokozuna Takanohana.
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