Sekiwake Hoshoryu racked up another impressive win at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday, toppling rank-and-file opponent Wakamotoharu to keep his share of the lead.
The 23-year-old rising star from Mongolia improved to 6-1 with his victory over the No. 4 maegashira on Day 7 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, where he shares the top of the leaderboard with No. 1 Takayasu, No. 9 Abi and No. 13 Oho.
Hoshoryu secured a two-hand belt grip to take control against Wakamotoharu (4-3), who resisted an initial throw before being sent tumbling onto his back with an outside leg trip.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Joint leader Hoshoryu flaunts footwork in win over Daieisho
Sumo: Takakeisho bounces back as Shodai takes another loss on Day 5
Sumo: Kyushu local Meisei upsets Takakeisho on Day 4
Ozeki Takakeisho wrapped up the opening week of the 15-day tournament at 5-2, easily pushing out No. 3 Midorifuji (2-5) after the maegashira tried jumping to the side at the opening charge.
Demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki Shodai (4-3) moved closer to the eight victories needed to keep his rank, slapping down winless No. 3 Ura.
In one of the day's most anticipated bouts, komusubi Tobizaru (4-3) outworked sekiwake Wakatakakage (4-3), pushing him over the straw bales after a heavy exchange of blows.
Komusubi Kiribayama (5-2) was dominant in his force-out victory over sekiwake Mitakeumi (4-3), leaving him little margin for error in his bid for promotion back to ozeki.
Demoted after going 4-11 in September, Mitakeumi can go straight back up to the second-highest rank by winning at least 10 bouts at the current meet.
Gunning for his maiden Emperor's Cup after several close finishes, former ozeki Takayasu continued to look formidable as he thrust down komusubi Daieisho (3-4).
