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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:49 a.m., Saturday, November 15, 2008

Sumo: Grand champion Hakuho keeps pace at Kyushu tournament

Associated Press

FUKUOKA, Japan — Grand champion Hakuho posted his sixth straight win Saturday to stay one victory behind Miyabiyama at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Mongolian Hakuho, who is bidding for his ninth Emperor's Cup, was pushed to the edge of the ring by Goeido but prevailed with an arm throw to improve to 6-1 in the 15-day tourney at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Komusubi Goeido dropped to 1-6.

Miyabiyama, a No. 7 maegashira, overpowered ninth-ranked Tokitenku (4-3) in an earlier bout to stay undefeated at 7-0.

He took the outright tournament lead, as No. 5 maegashira Dejima recorded his first loss, swatted down by top maegashira Toyonoshima.

In other major bouts, Ama, who is bidding for promotion to ozeki, forced out fellow Mongolian Asasekiryu to improve to 5-2. Asasekiryu, a No. 5 maegashira, dropped to 3-4.

Ozeki Kotomitsuki shoved out fourth-ranked maegashira Tochinoshin (1-6) to pick up his fourth win against three losses.

Fourth-ranked maegashira Kisenosato picked up an easy win when Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu lost his balance and fell to the dirt surface shortly after the faceoff. Kisenosato is one win off the leader at 6-1 while Kotooshu stands at 3-4.