Yokozuna Terunofuji outlasted No. 1 maegashira Kiribayama for his first win of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday, when demotion-threatened ozeki Shodai suffered his second straight loss to open the meet.
Kiribayama (1-1) got the better of Terunofuji (1-1) during the opening exchanges at Dolphins Arena, the rank-and-filer's quick footwork and his firm right overarm belt hold leaving the grand champion needing to stand his ground at the middle of the raised ring.
But Terunofuji patiently dealt with Kiribayama's busy movements before finally getting a left underarm belt hold himself and went on to force the jaded Kiribayama over the straw bales in a lengthy bout.
Shodai (0-2), needing a winning record here to stay on at the sport's second-highest rank, suffered a lopsided defeat to No. 1 Takanosho (1-1).
Takanosho, who pushed Terunofuji until the final day for the title during the summer meet in May, was incisive with his initial charge before bulldozing the hapless ozeki out in a blink.
Another "kadoban" ozeki Mitakeumi (1-1) was forced out by No. 2 Kotonowaka (2-0), although he showed a little more promise than Shodai during his outing.
Mitakeumi was the first to force his opponent to the edge, but Kotonowaka did well to swivel the ozeki by hanging on to his right-hand belt hold to snatch the win.
Ozeki Takakeisho (1-1) secured his first win of the meet by downing Hoshoryu (1-1). The ozeki's push to the throat left the komusubi resorting to a quick dodging move, but Hoshoryu had no answer to Takakeisho's subsequent, timely armlock throw.
Sekiwake Daieisho (0-2) failed to show any of his usual thrusting attacks as giant No. 2 Ichinojo (2-0) comfortably grappled his higher-ranked counterpart to oust him in seconds.
Sekiwake Wakatakakage (0-2) also remained without a win after coming off worse at the initial charge against No. 3 Tamawashi (2-0), taking an awkward hit to his head and losing his footing to quickly touch the sandy surface with his hand.
No. 3 Ura (1-1) shoved out Abi (1-1), the winner against Terunofuji on the opening day, after sidestepping the komusubi's opening charge to leave him off balance.
==Kyodo
