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Takanohana suffers first upset

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Posted: Wednesday March 17, 1999 02:08 PM

Chiyotaikai (left), who lost the first three bouts in the tournament, scored his first victory as ozeki. AP

OSAKA, Japan (AP) -- Lower-ranked Chiyotenzan remained undefeated at 4-0 and grabbed the sole lead as yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana suffered his first upset Wednesday, the fourth day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Another yokozuna, Wakanohana, suffered his third defeat against one victory, and newly promoted ozeki (champion) Chiyotaikai, winner of the last tournament in January, scored his first victory at that rank.

Wrestling before 8,000 spectators at the Osaka prefectural gymnasium in western Japan, No. 9 maegashira (senior wrestler) Chiyotenzan held off No. 11 maegashira Oginishiki's driving attempt and twisted him down, leaving Oginishiki at 1-3.

In the day's final bout, No. 2 maegashira Tosanoumi grabbed Takanohana's belt and sent him out for his second victory against two defeats. Takanohana is 3-1.

In other major bouts, No. 3 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, and Wakanohana pushed each other in the mid-ring and Kyokushuzan quickly pulled down the yokozuna for his third victory against one defeat. Wakanohana is 1-3.

Thursday's Bouts Gojoro Oginishiki Ohinode Mitoizumi Chiyotenzan Tokitsuumi Aogiyama Miyabiyama Toki Ganyu Higonoumi Akinoshima Kotonishiki Takatoriki Musashimaru Terao Tochiazuma Kyokushuzan Wakanohana Asanowaka Wakanojo Kotoryu Asanosho Kaiho Tochinowaka Hamanoshima Tochinonada Minatofuji Tamakasuga Wakanosato Tosanoumi Dejima Kotonowaka Kaio Takanonami Chiyotaikai Takanohana Shikishima

Chiyotaikai, who lost the first three bouts in the tournament, charged No. 2 maegashira Shikishima with fierce hand thrusts against his foe's throat and bulldozed him out, leaving both wrestlers at 1-3.

Ozeki Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii, thrust out No. 3 maegashira Terao for his third victory against one defeat. Terao is 1-3.

Ozeki Takanonami toppled No. 1 maegashira Kotonishiki with an arm throw for his third victory against one defeat. Kotonishiki is 1-3.

In the 26-member juryo division just below the senior makuuchi division, No. 11-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, pushed out No. 8-ranked Susanoumi (2-2) for his third victory against one defeat.

Wednesday's Bouts Winners Record Losers Record Ohinode Kaiho Tokitsuumi Asanowaka Chiyotenzan Kotoryu Miyabiyama Ganyu Minatofuji Tochinonada Takatoriki Akinoshima Tochiazuma Kaio Takanonami Chiyotaikai Musashimaru Kyokushuzan Tosanoumi Juryo Division Hoshitango Kitakachidoki Junior Division Makushita Hoshiandesu Kyokutenzan Sandanme Ryuo Jonidan Kuniazuma (3-1) (3-1) (3-1) (2-2) (4-0) (3-1) (3-1) (2-2) (3-1) (3-1) (2-2) (3-1) (3-1) (3-1) (3-1) (1-3) (3-1) (3-1) (2-2) (3-1) (2-2) (2-0) (1-1) (2-0) (2-0) Asanosho Gojoro Wakanojo Mitoizumi Oginishiki Hamanoshima Aogiyama Tochinowaka Wakanosato Toki Tamakasuga Higonoumi Dejima Kotonowaka Kotonishiki Shikishima Terao Wakanohana Takanohana Susanoumi Kyokutenho Arauma Wakasagara Yokutsukasa Hokuryuho (1-3) (1-3) (2-2) (0-4) (1-3) (1-3) (2-2) (2-2) (1-3) (2-2) (1-3) (1-3) (2-2) (1-3) (1-3) (1-3) (1-3) (1-3) (3-1) (2-2) (1-3) Junior division wrestlers have only seven bouts during the tournament. Records of foreign wrestlers' opponents were not available.

No. 1-ranked Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, was sent out by No. 2-ranked Kitakachidoki (2-2) for his third defeat against one victory.

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 27-ranked Hoshiandesu (2-0), or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, forced out No. 26-ranked Arauma.

No. 47-ranked Kyokutenzan (1-1), or Mongolian Enkhbat Batmunkha, pushed out equally ranked Wakasagara.

In sandanme, the second highest junior division, No. 84-ranked Ryuo (2-0), or Wang Yu from Shanghai, China, slapped down No. 84-ranked Yokutsukasa.

In jonidan, the third highest junior division, No. 20-ranked Kuniazuma (2-0), or Brazilian Vander Ramos, clamped No. 22-ranked Hokuryuho's arms from outside and sent him out.

Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.

 

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