Sumo: Onosato beats Shodai to keep outright lead on Day 6

KYODO
September 14, 2024

Burgeoning star Onosato blew away former ozeki Shodai to retain sole possession of the lead at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.

The 24-year-old sekiwake demonstrated overwhelming power as he pushed out No. 4 maegashira Shodai and improved to a perfect 6-0 on Day 6 at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

His closest rivals for the Emperor's Cup are ozeki Kotozakura and sekiwake Kirishima, who both moved to 5-1 after taking losses the previous day.

In the day's most anticipated bout, the 192-centimeter, 182-kilogram Onosato gave Shodai (4-2) no chance to react as he blasted the veteran backward and shoved him over the edge.

Onosato defeats Shodai on the sixth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 13, 2024. (Kyodo)

The Ishikawa Prefecture native needs 12 victories at the 15-day meet to reach the unofficial ozeki promotion benchmark of 33 wins over the course of three tournaments. Having made his sumo debut in May last year, he is aiming for the fastest-ever promotion to the sport's second-highest rank.

Kotozakura got his pursuit of a maiden makuuchi-division championship back on track against No. 3 maegashira Mitakeumi (1-5). Both came in looking for a grip, but it was Kotozakura who established a belt hold that he used to hoist former ozeki Mitakeumi over the straw bales.

Kotozakura (R) forces out Mitakeumi on the sixth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 13, 2024. (Kyodo)

Kirishima stayed one win off the pace by outmaneuvering No. 1 maegashira Tobizaru (2-4). The pair locked up in the middle before the Mongolian-born former ozeki wrenched his rank-and-file opponent off balance and sent him over the edge with a rear push-out.

Ozeki Hoshoryu, who is sharing top billing with Kotozakura in the absence of injured yokozuna Terunofuji, continued his nightmare start to the tournament. The nephew of Mongolian great Asashoryu stumbled to 2-4 with a loss by beltless arm throw to No. 2 maegashira Oho (3-3), the grandson of former yokozuna Taiho, coming off a win against Kotozakura the previous day.

Daieisho (3-3) knocked fellow komusubi Hiradoumi down a rung to 4-2 with a trademark frontal thrust-out victory.