Thursday, July 19, 2001

DAY 11

NAGOYA (Kyodo) Yokozuna Musashimaru lost his perfect record Wednesday when he was sent tumbling against Wakanosato on an eventful 11th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kaio moved into a two-way tie with the Samoan-born grand champion in the battle for the Emperor's Cup after the ozeki beat Tamanoshima at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.

Komusubi Wakanosato (9-2) upset Musashimaru (10-1) in the day's final bout, throwing the yokozuna to the dirt to give the chasing pack a huge lift heading into the final stretch of the 15-day tournament.

The 25-year-old Naruto stable grappler kept away from Musashimaru's strong right-hand side at the face-off and pushed him up against the straw bales before shifting inside to send the grand champion sprawling.

Kaio (10-1) kept up the challenge after disposing of Tamanoshima (9-2) as the ozeki took a hold of the No. 7 maegashira's left arm and ended the bout after twisting him to the ground.

Chiyotaikai missed a chance to move level at the top after he slipped up against struggling ozeki Miyabiyama (6-5) to suffer his first defeat since his Opening Day upset to Wakanosato.

Chiyotaikai remains one behind the pace with two losses in a three-way tie with Wakanosato and Tamanoshima.

Ozeki Musoyama had too much power for in-form Takanowaka, barging the top-ranked maegashira out to leave both wrestlers with 8-3 records.

Elsewhere, komusubi Asashoryu showed solid sumo in moving over Hayateumi (1-10), the Mongolian shoving the top-ranked maegashira out for his fifth victory.

No. 3 maegashira Toki (5-6) disappointed the crowd when he slapped local-favorite Kotomitsuki (4-7) all over the ring before a strong right arm sent the young sekiwake tumbling down.

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