Sumo: Ozeki Onosato marches on with 11th win, Hoshoryu 2 wins back
Ozeki Onosato has taken another step toward yokozuna promotion with his 11th straight win at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday when grand champion Hoshoryu became his closest rival as the only wrestler with two defeats.
Onosato had a tricky bout to navigate at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena as an in-form komusubi Wakatakakage (8-3) retreated initially but drove forward with courage, putting his head on the ozeki's chest while holding a left underarm belt hold at the same time.
But Onosato made the most of his bigger frame to stand his ground while grabbing the right overarm belt hold firmly, and despite Wakatakakage's attempted throw at the edge, the ozeki leaned his body toward his opponent to ruthlessly crush him out.
The Spring meet winner in March, Onosato can secure promotion to the exalted rank by winning back-to-back Emperor's Cups this month or posting a result deemed as good.
Hoshoryu (9-2) just about overcame up-and-coming No. 7 maegashira Hakuoho (8-3), who showed little fear in driving straight at the yokozuna and had the grand champion trying to scramble his way out along the edge.
But Hakuoho lost his balance as he tried to apply a decisive push and inadvertently collapsed backward to miss out on a famous win as Hoshoryu breathed a sigh of relief.
No. 9 maegashira Aonishiki (8-3) joined Hakuoho in falling behind in the title race after the Ukrainian tested Kotozakura (7-4) throughout in his first encounter with an ozeki but was narrowly beaten to suffer back-to-back defeats.
Aonishiki bullishly charged forward and forced the ozeki back to the edge, but Kotozakura showed good balance to withstand left underarm throw attempts and floored Aonishiki a fraction early instead with an armlock throw.
Two sekiwake both prevailed to secure winning records at 8-3 as Daieisho slapped down No. 4 maegashira Takerufuji (4-7) and Kirishima did the same to No. 4 maegashira Ichiyamamoto (4-7). No. 6 maegashira Oshoma and No. 17 maegashira Asakoryu also got their eighth wins.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Onosato improves to 10-0, moves 2 wins ahead in title race
Sumo: Onosato stays perfect as Hakuoho, Aonishiki keep up pressure
Sumo: Onosato beats Hiradoumi, takes outright lead on Day 8
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