Newly promoted ozeki Tochinoshin rolled to another victory on Monday, the second day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Grand champions Hakuho and Kakuryu also remained unbeaten in the 15-day meet at Dolphins Arena.
Tochinoshin (2-0), who aims to become the first wrestler since Hakuho in 2006 to win his ozeki debut tournament, easily dispatched Chiyonokuni (1-1). The No. 2 maegashira slapped Tochinoshin's face, but Tochinoshin remained calm and shoved Chiyonokuni out of the ring.
Yokozuna Kakuryu (2-0) remained on course for his third straight title in a solid bout against top-ranked maegashira Kotoshogiku (0-2). A former ozeki, Kotoshogiku charged Kakuryu toward the edge, but the yokozuna turned and executed a textbook overarm throw.
In the day's final bout, Hakuho, seeking to extend his record championship haul to 41, did not give top-ranked maegashira Shodai (1-1) room to breathe. After a false start, the grand champion held Shodai's belt and forced him out with ease.
Mongolians Kakuryu and Hakuho are the only yokozuna competing here after Japanese yokozuna Kisenosato pulled out of this meet due to left chest muscle injury he suffered over a year ago.
(Kakuryu defeats Kotoshogiku.)
Despite suffering mixed fates on Day 1, Takayasu and Goeido, who fight as demotion-threatened ozeki, both won their bouts against komusubi wrestlers.
Goeido (1-1) claimed his first win here by taking Tamawashi's belt with his left hand and forcing him out of the raised ring from behind. Takayasu (2-0) defeated Shohozan after the komusubi slipped when pushing the ozeki toward the edge.
The two "kadoban" ozeki need at least eight wins here to maintain their status at the next grand tournament in September.
Mitakeumi and Ichinojo, in sumo's third-highest rank of sekiwake, defeated maegashira wrestlers.
Mitakeumi quickly dispatched No. 2 Ikioi (0-2) for his second straight win, while Ichinojo (1-1) survived a scare in his bout against No. 3 Abi (0-2).
After the Mongolian Ichinojo pushed Abi toward the edge of the ring, the maegashira turned around to give him a final push. The 225-kilogram Ichinojo, however, did not move an inch and bulldozed his opponent out for his first win of the tournament.
==Kyodo
