Mongolians Hakuho and Harumafuji moved into double digits with their 10th wins at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on July 17, as ozeki Baruto retreated to his third loss.
Yokozuna Hakuho still isn't at his peak, but after a slightly bungled attack early on he changed his lead arm and threw ozeki Kakuryu down with an "uchimuso," a relatively rare technique that involves twisting your opponent down with a hold on his thigh. He wasn't invincible, but his quick thinking was impressive and shows he is still the man to beat.
As Hakuho watched from his seat below the ring, ozeki Harumafuji got a chance to show off his stuff as well. He pounded fellow ozeki Kotoshogiku at the start and then moved him off balance and whipped him to the dirt in a fast and skillful performance. Harumafuji is on one of the best streaks of his career, and he is looking very confident and determined to claim his third title. Kotoshigiku remains a contender, but drops to 8-2.
Baruto, meanwhile, fell to a very big defeat at the hands of ozeki Kotooshu that could well end his hopes of winning the title. Both are now 7-3.
Kotooshu was in the driver's seat all the way, though he had a good deal of trouble actually moving the much bigger Baruto out of position. He came in low and had a hold on Baruto's belt, and from that point on the Estonian really was able to just hold his ground. When Kotooshu finally yanked him forward and pulled him down, he found himself unable to do anything but fall.
Ozeki Kisenosato never quite managed to get the belt hold he was looking for, but he drove forward just the same, pushing ahead with his chest and arms, and sekiwake Tochiozan didn't have much of a chance. At 8-2, Kisenosato is also certainly still a factor and is fighting pretty close to his best form.
Tochiozan only has two wins, so he's likely to face a demotion.
In other bouts on July 17, sekiwake Goeido slapped down top maegashira Aminishiki to even his record at 5-5. Aminishiki (2-8) drove in too low and Goeido was quick to recognize the opening. He jumped aside and pulled Aminishiki down with both hands. Goeido has had a couple of bright spots--he beat Kotooshu and Kisenosato--but otherwise hasn't been at his best.
Komusubi Toyonoshima picked up his third win. He worked top maegashira Kyokutenho out of the ring, but neither wrestler looked very good, as they almost stood upright and listlessly grappled for an advantage. Toyonoshima, a new father, has yet to find his groove, but Kyokutenho has been an even bigger disappointment. He came to Nagoya with the championship title from the previous tournament, and though that was a great achievement for him, he has proven emphatically that it was fluke.
Komusubi Myogiryu got the better of No. 4 maegashira Tochinoshin at the face-off and that decided their bout. The Georgian wrestler has never done well against Myogiryu, and he moved into a retreat as soon as Myogiryu came at him. He tried to move to the side, but the komusubi kept coming and won fairly easily. Both are now 6-4.
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