Ozeki Takakeisho's yokozuna promotion bid took a hit with a shock loss to No. 4 maegashira Gonoyama, while sekiwake Kotonowaka missed a shot at the outright lead by falling to slippery No. 1 maegashira Ura on Saturday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
The first week of the 15-day tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center wrapped up with Kotonowaka, ozeki Hoshoryu and No. 14 Ichiyamamoto tied for the lead at 6-1.
A day after stunning Kirishima, the 25-year-old Gonoyama (3-4) claimed his second straight ozeki victim.
The former second-tier juryo division champion, who made his top-division debut in July, held his ground against a powerful opening charge from Takakeisho (5-2) before forcing the four-time Emperor's Cup winner off the dohyo and denying him a share of the lead.
Kotonowaka was momentarily the only undefeated wrestler at the tournament following a loss by joint overnight leader Ichiyamamoto, but could not hold serve in his Day 7 bout.
With both arms wrapped around Ura's upper body, Kotonowaka did not react quickly enough as the smaller maegashira slipped out from beneath and toppled the powerfully built sekiwake with an arm bar throw.
A day after his first loss at the hands of No. 3 Takayasu (4-3), Hoshoryu bounced back by beating komusubi Abi (2-5), who charged out of the blocks and left himself open to a rear push out.
Kirishima is one win off the pace at 5-2 after taking care of business against No. 3 Tobizaru (2-5) with a beltless arm throw.
Sekiwake Daieisho improved to 5-2 with an emphatic win by frontal push down against komusubi Hokutufuji (2-5) after fellow sekiwake Wakamotoharu (3-4) succumbed to a beltless arm throw from No. 2 Shodai (3-4).
Former ozeki Asanoyama, who has been sidelined from the start of the tournament with a calf injury, has announced he will compete from Sunday, entering the tournament as a No. 1 maegashira.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Hoshoryu takes 1st loss in Kyushu against problem foe Takayasu
Sumo: Hoshoryu beats rank-and-file Gonoyama, stays unbeaten in Kyushu
Sumo: Local favorite Meisei upsets yokozuna-hopeful Takakeisho
