Lone yokozuna Terunofuji dropped to 2-3 with another upset loss Thursday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, heightening the prospect of his withdrawal from the 15-day competition.
The injury-prone grand champion appeared unable to generate power through his legs as he was forced out by No. 3 maegashira Oho (2-3) in the final bout of Day 5 at Edion Arena Osaka.
Oho, the 24-year-old grandson of former yokozuna Taiho, maintained the momentum from the opening clash as he hoisted the nine-time Emperor's Cup winner over the straw bales.
"There were nerves involved (facing the yokozuna) but I tried to put them aside and just move naturally," Oho said.
Terunofuji claimed the January championship with a 13-2 record, but it was the first time he had completed a 15-day meet since the previous May. The Mongolian-born yokozuna has battled with severe back pain while also trying to maintain the health of his two surgically repaired knees.
Ozeki Kirishima (1-4) slapped down No. 2 maegashira Meisei (2-3) to end a nightmare four-bout losing streak from the opening day, but Day 5 delivered further upsets, with ozeki Takakeisho and Kotonowaka among the losers.
Takakeisho, fighting as a demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki after pulling out in January, dropped to 3-2 with a push-out loss to 21-year-old No. 2 maegashira Atamifuji (3-2). The powerfully built youngster was on top from the start as he avenged a championship playoff loss to Takakeisho last September.
Top-ranked maegashira Ura (3-2) claimed his third ozeki victim of the tournament as he dropped newly promoted Kotonowaka (3-2) with an under-shoulder swing down.
Ozeki Hoshoryu (4-1) stayed one win off the pace by toppling No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama (2-3) with a superbly executed underarm throw.
Abi defeated fellow komusubi Nishikigi (1-4) to remain the only unbeaten member of the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna. He shares the lead at 5-0 with No. 5 maegashira Onosato and No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji, contesting his first top-division tournament.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Terunofuji falls to 2nd loss as Kirishima remains winless
Sumo: Wakamotoharu, Abi lead undefeated wrestlers in Osaka
Sumo: Terunofuji gets 1st win, but upsets continue on Day 2
