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Updated at 3:40 a.m., Monday, September 22, 2008

Sumo: Hakuho clinches eighth win in autumn tournament

Associated Press

TOKYO — Grand champion Hakuho overpowered Toyonoshima to clinch his eighth victory on Monday at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

The 23-year-old Mongolian pushed his Japanese opponent to the ground in a matter of seconds on the ninth day of the 15-day tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Hakuho, who won the Nagoya tournament in July, is aiming to grab his eighth tournament victory.

But his archrival, fellow Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu, was beaten by sekiwake Ama — also from Mongolia. Asashoryu stumbled and was quickly pushed out of the ring. The 27-year-old popular wrestler dropped to 5-4.

Asashoryu missed the Nagoya tournament due to injury, and is aiming for his 23rd title.

Another Mongolian, Asasekiryu, defeated 23-year-old Baruto of Estonia. Asasekiryu, 27, grabbed his opponent's belt and quickly upended him.

Kotooshu of Bulgaria picked up his fifth victory against Japan's Aminishiki. The 25-year-old European wrestler lifted Aminishiki and tossed him out of the ring. Kotooshu made sumo history in May by becoming the first European to win an Emperor's Cup.