Musashimaru shares lead, Akebono suffers third defeat

TOKYO -- Hawaii-born Musashimaru improved to 5-1 and yokozuna (grand champion) Akebono suffered his third defeat Friday, the fifth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Four wrestlers are now tied for first place with five victories against one defeat - Musashimaru, his fellow ozeki (champion) Takanonami, yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana, sekiwake (junior champion) Tochiazuma.

Wrestling at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, threw down Tochinonada to become the only foreign-born wrestler among the leaders.

Tochiazuma easily pushed out a listless Akebono, or Chad Rowan of Hawaii, at the ring's edge leaving the Hawaiian-born grand champion at 3-3.

The most exciting bout of the day featured Ozeki Wakanahana and No. 4 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Batbayar Davaa from Mongolia.

After throwing each other all over the ring the two wrestlers ended up teetering side by side with their toes at the edge, each with one hand firmly locked on the back of the other's belt.

Just as it looked as if they might slip out of the ring simultaneously, Kyokushuzan placed one foot on the thick straw rope defining the ring's boundary, swung around Wakanohana's front-side then drove him out from behind.

It was a surprise win for the Mongolian, who improved to 2-4. Wakanohana dropped to 3-3.

In the next match, Takanohana held off a charge from Asahiyutaka and forced him out to stay among the leaders. Asahiyutaka slipped to 2-4.

In other major bouts, No. 14 maegashira Yamato, or George Kalima of Hawaii, pushed out Kitakachidoki to improve to 4-2.

In the junior division, No. 44-ranked Hoshiandesu, or Argentinian Jose Antonio Juarez, beat Tochinofuji for his third victory against no defeats.

Wrestlers in the junior division have only seven bouts during the tournament.

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Results in Scoreboard

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