Copyright kyodonews
TOKYO - Yokozuna Onosato was handed an unexpected win by default to remain in control of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday as his fellow grand champion Hoshoryu bagged the victory he needed to take the title race to the last day. Ozeki Kotozakura (9-5) pulled out of the 15-day tournament with right knee ligament damage suffered while beating Hoshoryu on Friday, meaning Onosato (13-1) was granted a win without facing his scheduled opponent. Needing a win to keep his title hopes alive, Hoshoryu then stunned the crowd at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan by immediately jumping to his right and sending sekiwake Wakatakakage (6-8) to the clay and a losing record, providing an anti-climax end to the penultimate round of the meet. The two grand champions will face each other in Sunday's final bout with Hoshoryu (12-2) needing to win to force a championship playoff. Both wrestlers are seeking their first Emperor's Cup as a yokozuna, with Hoshoryu competing in his fourth tournament at the top rank and Onosato his second. New Ukrainian komusubi Aonishiki (11-3) may have seen his title hopes dashed, but he equaled the impressive number of wins he managed in each of his past three tournaments at the elite makuuchi division with a day to spare. The youngster found himself on the back foot against a fierce opening drive from Hiradoumi (7-7) but recovered from the edge before making the most of a slip from the No. 4 maegashira to slap him down. No. 7 maegashira Takanosho (11-3) overpowered sekiwake Kirishima (6-8) with some ruthless shoves en route to a thrust-out win, condemning the former ozeki to a losing record despite his good start to the tournament that saw him win his four opening bouts.
