New komusubi Onosato handed demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki Kirishima his fourth defeat Thursday, the fifth day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, where three maegashira share the lead with 5-0 records.
Needing eight wins to remain in sumo's second-highest rank, Kirishima (1-4) quickly seized a left underarm belt hold but enjoyed little advantage against a physically superior Onosato (4-1), who had no trouble grappling the ozeki toward the edge at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
While Onosato's feet touched outside the straw bales first as he executed a "yoritaoshi" crush-out, Kirishima by then was already airborne outside the raised ring with no chance of recovery.
Kotozakura (4-1) won his fourth straight bout under his new ring name, crushing out Tobizaru (2-3). Kotozakura kept the nimble No. 3 rank-and-filer under control and spun him around before seizing a belt hold with both hands en route to the win.
Ozeki Hoshoryu (3-2) won his third straight bout to get back on track at the 15-day meet, giving a slap to the face of Gonoyama (2-3) before emphatically forcing the No. 2 maegashira out in a flash.
No. 4 maegashira Ura (5-0) drove in low and swiftly pushed Nishikigi (1-4) to the edge before opting to pull the No. 7 maegashira down. The decision looked dodgy against his much larger opponent, but the diminutive trickster successfully swung him down to defeat.
No. 7 maegashira Mitakeumi (5-0) was made to play a waiting game against Meisei (3-2), who was busy in search of an opening and secured a firm left underarm belt hold. But the former ozeki brought the No. 5 maegashira to a halt before grappling him out in a show of strength.
Veteran No. 16 maegashira Takarafuji also improved to 5-0.
No. 1 maegashira Daieisho (4-1) won a feisty battle of pusher-thrusters against sekiwake Abi (3-2), while the other sekiwake, Wakamotoharu (3-2), dispatched up-and-coming top-ranked maegashira Atamifuji (2-3) with an overarm throw.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Onosato beats yokozuna Terunofuji on upset-filled opening day
Sumo: Young gun Atamifuji too strong for ozeki Kirishima on Day 3
Sumo: Takayasu shows veteran savvy to take down young star Onosato
