Yokozuna Terunofuji suffered his second defeat and ozeki Kirishima his fourth straight loss at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday, while three wrestlers maintained perfect records.
Terunofuji, who secured his ninth top-division title in January's New Year meet on his return from injuries, lacked tenacity at Edion Arena Osaka and was easily forced out by much smaller No. 2 maegashira Meisei (2-2).
Meisei's quick start allowed him to seize a pair of underarm belt holds, and he wasted no time charging forward, avoiding getting his arms barred by the grand champion en route to victory.
Ozeki Kirishima was hapless in yet another defeat, showing little resistance as he was forced out in short order by former ozeki and No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama (2-2).
Kirishima won his second Emperor's Cup at November's Kyushu meet with a 13-2 record, but his 11-4 January record was not enough to secure yokozuna promotion.
New ozeki Kotonowaka (3-1) labored past Takanosho (1-3) after the No. 3 maegashira withstood early pressure. Kotonowaka stayed on the front foot nevertheless, and his arm-lock throw eventually did the trick.
Three wrestlers kept their perfect records intact, led by komusubi Abi, who cruised in a battle of unbeaten wrestlers, his sharp start and powerful shoves giving sekiwake Wakamotoharu no chance.
No. 5 maegashira Onosato (4-0) continued to live up to his big billing by easing to another win, bundling out diminutive No. 5 maegashira Midorifuji (1-3) in a flash.
Promising makuuchi debutant and No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji also kept up the pace by overcoming resistance from No. 15 maegashira Myogiryu (2-2) in a push-out win, while the two No. 8 maegashira, Takayasu and Onosho, suffered their first defeats.
Demotion-threatened ozeki Takakeisho (3-1) kept trickster Ura (2-2) away from his belt before grappling out the No. 1 maegashira in a battle of stocky wrestlers. Ozeki Hoshoryu (3-1) was tested throughout by an aggressive No. 3 maegashira Oho (1-3), but snatched a win, via hand pull down, at the edge.
Sekiwake Daieisho bulldozed komusubi Nishikigi (1-3) out for his first win.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Terunofuji gets 1st win, but upsets continue on Day 2
Sumo: Yokozuna Terunofuji suffers surprising opening-day defeat
Sumo: Terunofuji determined to win historic 10th title in Osaka
