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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:40 a.m., Friday, September 19, 2008

Sumo: Hakuho 5-1 in autumn tournament

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Grand champion Asashoryu is pushed out of the ring by Aminishiki on the sixth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena Friday,

Kyodo News via AP

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TOKYO — Grand champion Hakuho collected his fifth win of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament with an easy victory against a lower-ranked wrestler Friday.

Hakuho held onto a share of second place in the 15-day tournament, but his archrival Asashoryu, also a grand champion, suffered his second defeat.

The unfancied Goeido, a No. 5 maegashira, moved into sole lead of the tournament with a 6-0 record by throwing down top maegashira Kotoshogiku, who dropped to 2-4.

Hakuho tightly gripped Tochinonda from both sides and bulldozed the No. 4 maegashira over the straw ridge at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena to move to a 5-1 record along with three lower-ranked wrestlers, while Tochinonada fell to 2-4.

Asashoryu lost balance as Aminishiki slammed his back just after the face off. The Mongolian yokozuna managed to stay inside the ring but went twirling over the ridge as the No. 4 maegashira gave him another push. Asashoryu, who is aiming for his 23rd title, sank to 4-2, while Aminishiki improved to 3-3.

Komusubi Ama, also from Mongolia, moved to 5-1 by shoving out ozeki Chiyotaikai, who slipped to 4-2.

Kakuryu slammed down Kotooshu on the back of his neck immediately after the face off, sending the Bulgarian ozeki to the dirt surface on all fours.

Ozeki Kotomitsuki improved to 5-1 when he threw down No. 2 maegashira Kisenosato, who sank to 1-5.

Ozeki Kaio pushed out komusubi Baruto, collecting his third victory against three losses. Baruto, from Estonia, fell to 2-4.

Hakuho, from Mongolia, won the Nagoya tournament in July and is seeking his eighth tournament victory.