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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:17 a.m., Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Sumo: Kotooshu stuns yokozuna Asashoryu, on brink of history

Associated Press

TOKYO — Bulgarian Kotooshu moved closer to becoming the first European to win the Emperor's Cup when he conquered grand champion Asashoryu on Wednesday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the last and most anticipated bout of the day, the partisan crowd roared as the 25-year-old ozeki clashed with Asashoryu, powering the Mongolian yokozuna out of the ring.

Even Kotooshu himself seemed stunned. A smile of relief washed over his face as Asashoryu made his exit.

Kotooshu is now 11-0 and in sole possession of the tournament lead.

He began the 15-day meet with the modest ambition of posting a winning record to avoid demotion. But now in the midst of his most impressive showing in years, Kotooshu is on the brink of history.

Asashoryu, meanwhile, dropped to 9-2. Although still in the hunt for his 23rd title victory, an opening-day upset and Wednesday's loss against Kotooshu dragged the 27-year-old into a tie for third place with Toyonoshima.

Sitting in second place at 10-1 is grand champion Hakuho, who is gunning for his seventh career title.

The 23-year-old rebounded from an upset Tuesday with a win over Chiyotaikai. The Mongolian yokozuna charged the ozeki from the ring after managing to untangle himself from his grip.

The loss dropped Chiyotaikai to 3-8 — the worst record among the four ozeki-ranked wrestlers.

What initially looked like a routine victory for ozeki Kotomitsuki was ruled a loss, after judges determined that the ozeki inadvertently stepped out of the ring in his attack of Kakuryu. Kotomitsuki slipped to 6-5, while the No. 3 maegashira gained a win to reach 4-7.

Kaio prevailed over No. 2 maegashira Wakanoho of Russia. The ozeki improved to 6-5, while Wakanoho fell to 4-7.