FUKUOKA —

Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho overpowered countryman Ama in a playoff to win his third consecutive title at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday. Hakuho expended every ounce of energy as he sent the sekiwake sprawling to the dirt with an unstoppable overarm technique at Fukuoka Kokusai Center to win his career ninth Emperor’s Cup.

Both wrestlers finished the meet with 13-2 records, but Hakuho was in no mood for games and got revenge against Ama for a loss on the 12th day to take home the tournament hardware in the absence of injury-hit yokozuna Asashoryu. Surprise package Yoshikaze (11-4), a No. 12 maegashira, fell out of the running for the title with a defeat at the hands of Kotoshogiku (9-6) but won his first Fighting Spirit Prize. Fighting on the bubble, Bulgarian Kotooshu swatted down fellow ozeki Chiyotaikai to just make the grade in another unconvincing campaign at the 15-day meet. Chiyotaikai also finished at 8-7.
 

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6 Comments

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  romulus3 at 07:45 PM JST - 23rd November

  Kotooshu and Chiyotaikai should have gotten a room instead of turning up to fight.

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  TeruSensei at 09:26 PM JST - 23rd November

  That's disappointing.

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  Sarge at 09:33 PM JST - 23rd November

  The Hakuho-Ama playoff match was a great match! Had me on the edge of my seat! But the outcome was never in doubt - there was no way Hakuho was going to let Ama beat him twice in the same basho!

  romulus - Har!

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  pathat at 04:46 AM JST - 24th November

  "Fighting on the bubble, Bulgarian Kotooshu swatted down fellow ozeki Chiyotaikai to just make the grade in another unconvincing campaign at the 15-day meet. Chiyotaikai also finished at 8-7."

  Congratulations to Kotooshu on his kachikoshi. I hope he can get his knees into a little better shape to win his second yusho next year. I'd also like to see Baruto stay healthy long enough to win a championship, too.

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  bcbrownboy at 10:18 AM JST - 24th November

  Is there anyone interested at all in the fatso J-wrestlers in the warm-up bouts? A bout without a gaijin is just so boring now. What happened to Chiyonofuji, Taka/Waka....

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  dennis0bauer at 03:56 PM JST - 25th November

  Ama was great he will be a worthy Ozeki (i hope)

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