Friday, March 18, 2005

OSAKA (AP) Yokozuna Asashoryu overpowered Kakizoe on Thursday to remain undefeated and tied for the lead with Tamanoshima at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Yokozuna Asashoryu forces down No. 2 maegashira Kakizoe to stay undefeated on the fifth day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.

Asashoryu got both arms around his opponent and bulldozed the No. 2 maegashira out in the day's final bout at Osaka Municipal Gymnasium to improve to 5-0. Kakizoe fell to 2-3.

Going back to the New Year tourney, Asashoryu has now won 20 bouts in a row.

In other major bouts, ozeki Kaio bounced back from Wednesday's loss to Kotomitsuki when he forced out Mongolian Kyokutenho to improve to 4-1. Kyokutenho, a top maegashira, fell to 2-3.

Bulgarian Kotooshu finally picked up his first win of the 15-day tourney when he sidestepped Miyabiyama at the faceoff and swatted the sekiwake down to give both wrestlers a 1-4 record.

Kotooshu was promoted after the New Year meet but has struggled so far in his komusubi debut.

Mongolian Hakuho posted his second straight win in a bout against Iwakiyama.

No. 4 maegashira Tochinonada fought off a series of arm thrusts and flipped ozeki Chiyotaikai out at the edge to pick up his fourth win against a single loss. Chiyotaikai fell to 3-2.

Tochiazuma became the second ozeki casualty of the day when he was forced out by No. 3 maegashira Tosanoumi, who stayed one win off the pace at 4-1. Tochiazuma dropped to 2-3.

Rank-and-filer Tamanoshima maintained his share of the lead at 5-0 with a decisive victory over Mongolian Kyokusuzan.

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