Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006

FUKUOKA (AP) Grand champion Asashoryu posted his fourth straight win Wednesday by easily defeating lower-ranked Iwakiyama at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Ozeki Kaio slams down komusubi Aminishiki to stay undefeated Wednesday on the fourth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. KYODO PHOTO

Fighting in the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Asashoryu, who is gunning for his 19th Emperor's Cup in this tournament, got his right-hand grip of Iwakiyama's belt and forced him out of the raised ring.

Asashoryu, the only competing yokozuna, improved to 4-0 while top-maegashira Iwakiyama remains winless.

In other major bouts, ozeki Kaio overpowered komusubi Aminishiki by yanking him down to the dirt surface seconds after the faceoff.

Kaio, who needs a winning record to maintain his ozeki status, improved to 4-0. Aminishiki remains winless of the 15-day tourney.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai deployed his trade mark arm thrusts to the neck of Ama before pulling him down to the dirt surface to improve to 4-0. Mongolian Ama, a top-ranked maegashira, fell to 0-4.

Kotooshu of Bulgaria was handed his first loss when Futeno fended off a series of slaps and pulling attempts by the ozeki, instead shoving him out. Futeno, a second-ranked maegashira, improved to 2-2 while Kotooshu dropped to 3-1.

Ozeki Tochiazuma bounced back from a third-day loss over Futeno, when he shoved out No. 2 maegashira Kotoshogiku. Tochiazuma improved to 3-1 while Kotoshogiku remains winless.

Earlier, sekiwake Kotomitsuki improved to 4-0 after twisting third-ranked maegashira Tokitenku down. The Mongolian grappler is winless.

Sekiwake Miyabiyama made a quick work of Georgian-born Kokkai to pick up his third win against one loss. Kokkai remains winless.

Russian Roho improved to 3-1 when he beat fellow komusubi Kisenosato.

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