SUMO

Hakuho outguns Asashoryu to finish perfect

Sunday 29th March, 06:27 PM JST

OSAKA —

With the Emperor’s Cup title already in the bag, Hakuho overpowered fellow Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu Sunday to finish his campaign with a perfect 15-0 record at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Hakuho, who secured his career 10th victory a day earlier, claimed the title with an undefeated record for the third time. ‘‘I feel great. I was really down on myself after losing at the New Year meet but the fans really supported me and I was able to get victory this time,’’ Hakuho said.

In the all-yokozuna clash, Hakuho was never in trouble, moving in quickly with firm steps for his favored right leaning grip before powering Asashoryu over the edge to a fourth defeat. Ozeki Kotomitsuki (8-7) fell to Estonian sekiwake Baruto, Mongolian Harumafuji sidestepped after the face-off against fellow ozeki Kaio (8-7) and drove his opponent out from the rear to end on 10-5. Bulgarian Kotooshu stopped a weak effort from fellow ozeki Chiyotaikai and ushered his opponent out to finish on 10-5. Chiyotaikai fell to a pitiful 2-13 mark. Homasho took his third Fighting Spirit Prize with an 11-4 mark, while Mongolian Kakuryu received the Technique Prize for the second time after ending at 10-5.

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6 Comments

LoveUSA at 02:32 AM JST - 30th March

Congratulations to Kotooshu and Hakuho! Both were great!
kenchan at 06:51 AM JST - 30th March

baruto was abit lucky...but still amazing to end up with kachikoshi. Asa seems abit too high at the tachiai? Makes it hard for him to get a decent grip and allowing the opponent to get their fav grip?
pathat at 07:15 AM JST - 30th March

Hakuho finishes a perfect 15-0, and Kotooshu and Baruto end up the tournament on a high note.

It's high time for Japan to dispense with the pretense that it can compete with foreigners at sumo, and get rid of any limits on the number of foreigners allowed in sumo stables.
telecasterplayer at 01:32 PM JST - 30th March

Kakuryu looks like the one to watch in May. He took on the big boys and did well.

What's the deal with Chiyotaikai? Is he not 'genki'? He's wearing that big patch over his belly under the mawashi and just posted the worst record for an ozeki. Connection?
LoveUSA at 01:37 PM JST - 30th March

Kakuryu looks like the one to watch in May.

I will watch Kotooshu of course. You can watch Kakuryu :)
dennis0bauer at 03:48 PM JST - 30th March

Asashoryu seemed also to have a problem the last few matches, Mental or Physical?

I hope Harumafuji will do better next time with his teeth fixed