Sumo: Kotoshoho upsets Onosato, stays joint leader with Aonishiki
No. 1 maegashira Aonishiki and No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho started Day 13 at IG Arena in a two-way deadlock for the lead, with the 21-year-old European the first to hold serve by knocking former front-runner Ichiyamamoto (9-4) off the leaderboard.
The 25-year-old Kotoshoho then shocked the crowd in the day's final bout as he earned his first career "kinboshi" award for beating a grand champion as a rank-and-file wrestler.
The leading pair head into the final weekend with two other maegashira, 10th-ranked Atamifuji and 14th-ranked Kusano, one win back at 10-3.
Having lost both of their previous top-level meetings, Kotoshoho made a strong start by securing a belt grip against new yokozuna Onosato (9-4). After the pair tussled toward the edge, the maegashira sent the 25-year-old grand champion to the clay with an overarm throw.
"I made sure to do my best at the initial charge, and then I just believed in myself," Kotoshoho said. "There are still two matches left. For now, I just want to focus on tomorrow."
The loss continued a tough yokozuna debut tournament for back-to-back Emperor's Cup winner Onosato, who has now given up four kinboshi in Nagoya.
Aonishiki, contesting just his third top-division meet, took another step toward a maiden championship by forcing out No. 8 maegashira Ichiyamamoto, who held the outright lead earlier in the week.
In a day of upsets, the 22-year-old Atamifuji remained in contention by forcing out ozeki Kotozakura (7-6), who still needs another win to avoid demotion-threatened "kadoban" status at the next meet.
"I was just concentrating on getting a belt grip," Atamifuji said. "I've just been doing what I need to do, but I still have two more days. I'll do my best."
Top-division rookie Kusano also knocked off a big-name opponent to stay in the title race, scoring an impressive win against sekiwake Kirishima (8-5) with an outside leg trip.
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