Ozeki Kotoshogiku was pushed out for his first loss on May 12 while yokozuna Hakuho fell to his second defeat, turning the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament into a wide-open contest.
Ozeki rivals Kisenosato and Kakuryu and two rank-and-filers all moved up to share the lead.
No. 2 maegashira Myogiryu sent Kotoshogiku out the ring--and out of the sole lead--with an explosive drive forward. Myogiryu has now beaten four of the six ozeki, but he has lost all three of his other bouts.
His win over Kotoshogiku was especially impressive.
"I knew that if I got a bad face-off he would take me all the way back, so I tried to drive forward as hard as I could,'' Myogiryu said. "I'm surprised by how well I am doing.''
Defending champion Hakuho, who stood to capitalize the most from Kotoshigiku's fall, suffered a huge upset to No. 3 maegashira Toyohibiki, who was ruled the victor in a match that was almost too close to call. The referee actually gave the win to the yokozuna, but had his decision reversed after a judges' huddle.
Kisenosato, who also lost earlier to Myogiryu, overwhelmed a hapless No. 3 maegashira Takekaze, who tried to get away from the ozeki's thrusts but ended up collapsing to his sixth loss.
Earning his sixth win, new ozeki Kakuryu got a run for his money from top maegashira Aran, who held his own on the belt as the two settled into a grappling match after an indecisive face-off. The Russian, who has lost all seven of his bouts so far, made some advances as Kakuryu waited for an opportunity, but Kakuryu eventually found his opening and drove Aran out.
Estonia's Baruto was another big upset victim, and now has two losses.
Sekiwake Goeido (4-3) took everything Baruto could dish out, and then somehow lifted the Estonian completely off the ground to turn the tide. Baruto came back, but appeared to be tired out, and Goeido toppled him as they struggled at the edge.
Harumafuji, already three down, threw sekiwake Toyonoshima out of the ring with an "uwate-nage,'' or overarm throw. Toyonoshima is also 4-3.
Bulgaria's Kotooshu got back into the winning column by driving No. 2 maegashira Gagamaru over the edge. Kotooshu still has a long road ahead, with three losses, but for once he looked solid and confident.
Aminishiki, who has been outstanding against the best wrestlers, lost to fellow komusubi Homasho, falling to a 3-4 record. Adding insult to injury for Aminishiki--who had already defeated Hakuho, Baruto and Kotooshu--Homasho went into the bout without a single win.
Maegashira wrestlers Takarafuji and Tochiozan are also 6-1.
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