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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:55 a.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Sumo: Mongolian Hakuho moves closer to title at Nagoya

Associated Press

NAGOYA, Japan — Hakuho overpowered Mongolian compatriot Ama on Wednesday to take a big step toward winning the Emperor's Cup at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the day's final bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, grand champion Hakuho came bursting out of the faceoff and shoved sekiwake Ama (7-4) out in a matter of seconds.

With four days left in the 15-day meet, Hakuho, who improved to a perfect 11-0, has a three-win lead over a group of four wrestlers tied at 8-3.

In other major bouts, Chiyotaikai wrapped up the winning record he needs to maintain his ozeki status and dealt a serious blow to Kotomitsuki's title chances with a win over his fellow ozeki.

Chiyotaikai drove his opponent back after the faceoff and then dodged to his side as Kotomitsuki's momentum carried him to the dirt surface. Both wrestlers stand at 8-3.

Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu shoved out No. 5 maegashira Miyabiyama to pick up his eighth win against three losses. Miyabiyama dropped to 6-5.

Ozeki Kaio forced out No. 3 maegashira Tochinonada (4-7) to post his seventh win against four losses.

Lower-ranked Toyohibiki, a No. 13 maegashira, also has an 8-3 record after forcing out No. 10 maegashira Tamanoshima, who dropped to 6-5.