2 yokozuna fall to defeat
17 January, 2018
The Japan NewsThere was disappointment and surprise among the yokozuna on Day 3 of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday as two of the three grand champions suffered losses.
Kisenosato’s struggles continued as No. 1 maegashira Ichinojo (1-2) grabbed the yokozuna at the jump-off, used his considerable girth to drive him toward the edge, and forced his oft-injured opponent over the bales with relative ease at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Moments later, No. 1 maegashira Hokutofuji stunned yokozuna Hakuho, avoiding a slap-down loss by keeping his balance before eventually forcing out the sport’s winningest wrestler.
Kakuryu was the only yokozuna to avoid defeat, twisting down No. 2 maegashira Yoshikaze (0-3) just after the start-off.
Meanwhile, current No. 2 maegashira Kotoshogiku — a former ozeki — had no answers for Goeido (3-0), crashing to his third consecutive loss with an awkward effort against the ozeki.
Ozeki Takayasu defeated No. 3 maegashira Chiyotairyu (0-3) to stay perfect, while Terunofuji, also a former ozeki, pulled out of the basho and faces demotion from No. 10 maegashira.
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