Akebono wins
seventh-straight

OSAKA, March 16 (Kyodo) -- Ozeki Wakanohana turned the tables on upset-minded sekiwake Musoyama to post his ninth straight win Monday in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament and maintain a two-win margin over yokozuna Akebono.

Akebono, forcing out No. 3 maegashira Tochinonada in the final bout of the day at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, won his seventh in a row since losing two straight leading off the 15-day tourney and remains the lone wrestler within striking distance of Wakanohana.

The ozeki, however, appeared headed for his first loss of the tourney when Musoyama secured a firm left-hand grip from the outside on Wakanohana's belt.

When the one-time ozeki candidate failed to muscle Wakanohana out of the ring, he planted his left leg behind the ozeki and tried to knock Wakanohana off-balance by pulling him over the leg.

Wakanohana, however, deftly stepped around behind the leg trip, knocking Musoyama himself onto one leg and making him easy prey for a hard shove into the chest.

Meanwhile, Akebono waded through the thrusting attack of Tochinonada and then eased him over the straw ridge for the win.

Nine wrestlers, including ozeki Musashimaru and Takanonami, are all tied with 6-3 records along with No. 13 maegashira Gojoro who was thrown down to a third loss by 11th-ranked Asahiyutaka.

Musashimaru dodged a bullet when Takatoriki pulled the ozeki forward and had him headed face-first for the dohyo's surface at the outset of their bout. Lunging forward, however, Musashimaru was able to save the win by shoving out the scrappy No. 4 maegashira.

Takanonami, on the other hand, posted an easy win, beating Tochinowaka at the face-off and the marching the former sekiwake out.

Gojoro, entering Monday tied with Akebono, was saddled with a third loss after his energetic thrusting attack ran out of gas and Asahiyutaka latched onto his sash and pitched him over.

In other bouts, Mongolia's Kyokushuzan ended a personal four-match losing streak for his first win against Kotoryu, dragging the No. 5 maegashira down for his fourth victory of the tourney.

Mongolian compatriot Kyokutenho was thrown off guard when Akinoshu did not come out with his thrusting attack. Akinoshu locked onto the Mongolian's mawashi and marched him out of the ring.

No. 10 maegashira Kotoinazuma dragged down Mitoizumi by the shoulder to record his 700th career victory, second among active wrestlers. Mitoizumi currently tops all active wrestlers with 716 wins.

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Wakanohana
keeps sole lead at 9-0

OSAKA, Japan (AP) -- Ozeki (champion) Wakanohana stayed unbeaten and two victories ahead of his nearest rival, Hawaiian-born yokozuna (grand champion) Akebono, with six days left in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament Monday.

Three victories behind Wakanohana at 6-3 are nine wrestlers, including ozekis Musashimaru and Takanonami and komusubi (junior champion second class) Kaio.

Wakanohana fought off sekiwake (junior champion) Musoyama's pushing attempts, charged him with a leg trick and sent him out when he lost his balance. Musoyama is 5-4.

Akebono, or Chad Rowan, charged No. 3 maegashira (senior wrestler) Tochinonada (4-5) with hand thrusts, grabbed his belt and forced him out.

No. 13 maegashira Gojoro, who was tied with Akebono Sunday, suffered his third defeat against six victories as he was thrown down by No. 11 maegashira Asahiyutaka (6-3).

Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii, pushed out No. 4 maegashira Takatoriki (4-5), who first attacked with hand thrusts and then tried to pull Musashimaru down.

Takanonami clamped one of No. 5 maegashira Tochinowaka's arms from outside and sent him out, leaving Tochinowaka at 4-5.

Kaio twisted away from No. 1 maegashira Shikishima's pushing attempts and tossed him down, handing Shikishima his eighth defeat against one victory.

Kaio's six victories so far include triumphs over both yokozuna -- Akebono and Takanohana, who withdrew last Thursday because of liver trouble.

No. 7 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, sidestepped and slapped down No. 5 maegashira Kotoryu (2-7) for his fourth victory against five defeats.

No. 12 maegashira Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, was forced out by No. 15 maegashira Akinoshu (5-4) for his sixth defeat against three victories.

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 13-ranked Kaishinzan, or American Henry Armstrong Miller, was thrust down by No. 12-ranked Asoufuji for his third defeat against two victories.

In sandanme, the second-highest junior division, No. 44-ranked Kyokutenzan, or Mongolian Enkhbat Batmunkha, also suffered his third defeat against two victories as he was forced out by No. 40-ranked Chiyononada.

Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.