Demotion-threatened ozeki Shodai ended No. 2 maegashira Ichinojo's perfect start at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after seven days on Saturday, with seven wrestlers a win behind the sole leader.
Ichonojo (6-1) had beaten yokozuna Terunofuji as well as ozeki Takakeisho and Mitakeumi over the past three days but the struggling third ozeki, Shodai (3-4) showed what he is capable of at Dolphins Arena.
Shodai came up with a sharp opening before parrying the rank-and-filer to the side with his left hand.
Ichinojo managed to recover but then made an untimely pull-down attempt, paving the way for Shodai. The ozeki, who needs eight wins in 15 days here to remain at the second-highest rank, muscled his larger opponent out.
Yokozuna Terunofuji (5-2) avoided a potential pitfall against No. 3 Ura (3-4), who did not resort to any of his numerous tricks but went in straight at the grand champion.
There was no way through for the diminutive stocky rank-and-filer, however, as Terunofuji immobilized his arms and forced him off the ring.
No. 6 Tobizaru (5-2) slipped up in his loss to No. 4 Wakamotoharu (4-3) to remain one win off the pace.
Tobizaru got the better as the two exchanged shoves, but took his eye off his opponent ahead of his decisive final charge, only for Wakamotoharu to time a slap-down to perfection.
Ozeki Takakeisho (4-3) missed out on the chance to close the gap on the leaders after his surprise ducking move at the start backfired against komusubi Abi (4-3).
Abi reacted well by jumping to his left and grabbed an overarm belt hold with his left hand before spectacularly rolling the ozeki off the raised ring.
Ozeki Mitakeumi (2-5) lost his day's bout by default to komusubi Hoshoryu (3-4) as he was forced to leave the tournament after a member of his Dewanoumi stable contracted the coronavirus.
Mitakeumi, who like Shodai needs a winning record here to stay on as ozeki, would normally get demoted after failing to reach the eight-win mark.
Due to the special circumstance, however, the Japan Sumo Association said it will discuss his ranking for September's Autumn meet after this tourney ends.
Sekiwake Daieisho (4-3) was made to work against No. 1 Kiribayama (3-4) but salvaged a win with a slap down, while the other sekiwake, Wakatakakage (4-3), won by default after No. 1 Takanosho (1-6) pulled out of the meet with a right shoulder injury.
Five rank-and-filers joined Terunofuji and Tobizaru at 5-2 as No. 2 Kotonowaka, No. 8 Nishikigi, No. 11 Midorifuji, No. 13 Ichiyamamoto and No. 17 Nishikifuji all won their bouts.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Mitakeumi forced to leave Nagoya meet after COVID case at stable
Sumo: Ichinojo brushes aside Mitakeumi to remain perfect in Nagoya
Sumo: Ichinojo overpowers Terunofuji to take sole lead at Nagoya
