FUKUOKA – Ukrainian sekiwake Aonishiki kept his bid for a first-ever championship alive on Saturday, defeating yokozuna Hoshoryu to create a three-way tie for the lead heading into the final day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
The 21-year-old, who fell from the top of the leaderboard on Friday, rebounded to improve his record to 11-3. The victory was set up after fellow co-leader, yokozuna Onosato, was upset by ozeki Kotozakura, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the 15-day competition at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Facing elimination from the title race, Aonishiki exploded off the line and decisively pushed out Hoshoryu, extending his undefeated head-to-head record against the Mongolian-born grand champion to 3-0.
“I wanted to do my brand of sumo by staying low and going inside, and I was able to do that,” Aonishiki said. “I just have one day remaining and I want to make sure I perform my best.”
Earlier, Onosato was locked in a chest-to-chest battle with Kotozakura (8-6). The ozeki secured a strong belt grip and muscled the five-time Emperor’s Cup winner over the straw bales, securing a winning record for the tournament in the process.
In other notable bouts, komusubi Takayasu (7-7) staved off a losing record and demotion by pushing out No. 6 maegashira Atamifuji (7-7).
Former sekiwake Wakamotoharu (8-6), fighting as a No. 2 maegashira, clinched his eighth victory against No. 9 Midorifuji (6-8), positioning himself for a potential return to the elite “sanyaku” ranks. However, his younger brother, No. 1 maegashira Wakatakakage, saw his own hopes for a swift sanyaku comeback dashed, falling to a 6-8 losing record after being forced out by No. 7 Churanoumi (7-7).
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