Sumo's ozeki trio remained perfect Tuesday after three days of action at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
September's Autumn champion, Takakeisho, was at his best against a similarly stocky opponent, No. 1 maegashira Ura (0-3). Takakeisho reeled off strong shoves with both hands to give trickster Ura no room to counter in a thrust-out win at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
The highest-ranked wrestler at the tournament due to the continued absence of solo yokozuna Terunofuji, Takakeisho could be in line for promotion to yokozuna should he win his second straight Emperor's Cup or post a championship-caliber record.
Kirishima (3-0) opened with three straight wins for the first time in his three meets at sumo's second highest rank by overpowering No. 2 Shodai (0-3) and forcing the former ozeki out.
After securing a narrow 8-7 winning record in his September ozeki debut, Hoshoryu also continued his strong start, slapping down bullish komusubi Hokutofuji (0-3).
Sekiwake Kotonowaka (3-0) edged Meisei (0-3) despite letting the No. 2 get a firm left-hand belt hold in a long encounter. Kotonowaka stood his ground at the edge and reeled off a desperate backward twisting overarm throw, and earned his victory by a whisker after Meisei's right foot touched down outside the straw bales before both hit the deck.
Sekiwake Daieisho (3-0) withstood repeated pull-down attempts by No. 3 Takayasu (1-2) and pushed the former ozeki out, while the third sekiwake, Wakamotoharu (2-1), chased Tobizaru (1-2) around the ring before shoving out the livewire No. 3. Komusubi Abi (1-2) was forced out by No. 4 Nishikigi (1-2).
No. 8 Atamifuji, a 21-year-old who missed out on his maiden title to Takakeisho in September's championship playoff, became one of five rank-and-file maegashira wrestlers to open with three straight wins in Fukuoka when he forced out No. 7 Kinbozan (1-2) of Kazakhstan.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Takakeisho stays on track with tough Day 2 win over Shodai
Sumo: Yokozuna Terunofuji out of Kyushu meet with lower back pain
Sumo: Ukrainian wrestler aims to make impact in Japan's ancient sport
