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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 1:01 a.m., Saturday, September 27, 2008

Sumo: Hakuho wins eighth tournament

Associated Press

TOKYO — Mongolian grand champion Hakuho snatched his eighth championship title on Saturday after scoring 13 wins at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

The 23-year-old wrestler defeated Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu by upending the European opponent at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Saturday's victory followed his seventh tournament win at the Nagoya tournament in July.

"I am pleased," Hakuho said following the final bout at the tournament. "I'm glad I did well."

Hakuho's main rival Asashoryu, a fellow Mongolian grand champion, pulled out of the tournament because of an elbow injury. Asashoryu has won 22 Emperor's Cups in his career, but has struggled with injuries this year. He also withdrew from the Nagoya tournament in July with an injury.

Estonia's Baruto picked up his seventh win by throwing all his weight into Mongolian Kyokutenho to drive him out of the ring.

Kakuryu scored a victory against fellow Mongolian Asasekiryu by grabbing his belt and tossing him out of the ring.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai bulldozed Tochinonada over the ring in a matter of seconds, bagging his ninth victory at the tournament.