TOKYO —
Ozeki Kisenosato and yokozuna Hakuho took different paths to maintain their share of the lead on Saturday, the seventh day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Kisenosato’s barge and drive proved too much for No. 4 maegashira Tochiozan (1-6), who looked to have matched the ozeki on the initial charge at Ryogoku Kokugikan but was immediately bulldozed out of the ring. Kisenosato seems well-placed for a run at his first championship at the 15-day tournament.
On a day when fellow Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji pulled out with a hamstring injury, Hakuho downed compatriot Tamawashi to make it seven out of seven after he was initially forced on to the back foot and needed to make two dodging moves. After an exchange of slaps with the gutsy new sekiwake, the yokozuna succeeded in sidestepping another charge from Tamawashi who overstepped to bring a premature end to the bout.
Kakuryu had to work hard to stop his three-day losing streak after No. 3 maegashira Okinoumi (2-5) survived a flurry of throws and a foot sweep from the yokozuna.
