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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:46 a.m., Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sumo: Hakuho stays tied for lead in autumn tournament

Associated Press

TOKYO — Grand champion Hakuho brushed aside Aminishiki on Sunday to stay tied for the lead at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Aminishiki dodged to his side at the faceoff but the Mongolian grand champion quickly got a hand on the neck of the No. 4 maegashira and sent him tumbling off the raised ring to improve to 7-1, tied with two others for the lead.

Aminishiki dropped to 4-4 in the 15-day tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

In the day's final bout, grand champion Asashoryu of Mongolia was handed a setback when he was forced to the edge by sekiwake Toyonoshima and stepped out with his right foot.

Asashoryu dropped to 5-3 while Toyonoshima improved to 4-4.

Mongolian Ama stayed tied for the tournament lead at 7-1 and cost ozeki Kotomitsuki (6-2) a share of top spot. Sekiwake Ama used a series of arm thrusts to the upper body at the faceoff and then hauled his opponent down when he got a hand on the back of Kotomitsuki's head.

No. 5 maegashira Goeido swatted down ninth-ranked Hokutoriki to maintain his share of the lead at 7-1.

In other bouts, ozeki Kaio improved to 5-3 by forcing out Mongolian No. 3 maegashira Kyokutenho, who dropped to 2-6.

Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu moved to a 4-4 record by locking arms with Tochinonada and forcing him out, with the No. 4 maegashira slipping to 2-6.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai sent Estonian Baruto (2-6) tumbling into the first row of seats to improve to 5-3.