Upsets see Chiyotaikai stay in touch with elite.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2003/11/22/2003076891


Upsets see Chiyotaikai stay in touch with elite

AP , FUKUOKA, JAPAN
Saturday, Nov 22, 2003,Page 18

Ozeki Chiyotaikai kept his title hopes alive yesterday while sending
fellow ozeki Tochiazuma to his second loss on a day of upsets at the
Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Fighting in the penultimate bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center,
Chiyotaikai used his trademark arm thrusts to force Tochiazuma back to
the edge after the face-off.

With Tochiazuma's back to the wall, Chiyotaikai pulled his opponent
down to improve to 10-3, one win behind Tochiazuma and grand champion
Asashoryu, who was upended by Kaio.

Tochiazuma dropped to 11-2 but is still tied with Asashoryu for the
lead while Chiyotaikai and lower-ranked wrestler Dejima are one win
off the pace at 10-3.

Yesterday's second big upset came when Asashoryu took on local
favorite Kaio in the final bout.

Kaio, who secured the winning record he needs to maintain his ozeki
status with a win on Thursday, got a hold of Asashoryu's arm at the
face off and spun the grand champion around to improve to 9-4.

Asashoryu, who won the Autumn tourney and is gunning for his fifth
title, was never able to establish control in yesterday's bout and
dropped to 11-2 in the 15-day tourney.

Asashoryu is the only grand champion contesting the Kyushu tourney
after fellow yokozuna Musashimaru retired on Sunday after suffering
four loss through Saturday's bouts.

In other major bouts, Musoyama waltzed out No. 3 maegashira
Tamanoshima to move a step closer to nailing down the winning record
he needs to maintain his ozeki status for the next tournament.

Musoyama improved to 7-6 while Tamanoshima dropped to 8-5.

Sekiwake Wakanosato slapped down No. 2 maegashira Tosanoumi (8-5) to
pick up his sixth win. Wakanosato came into the tournament looking for
promotion to ozeki but is now just trying to salvage a winning record.

Mongolian sekiwake Kyokutenho swatted down No. 4 maegashira Miyabiyama
at the face off for only his third win of the tournament. Miyabiyama
dropped to 5-8.

In an earlier bout, rank-and-filer Dejima shoved out No. 11 maegashira
Takekaze (7-6) to remain one win off the lead at 10-3.

Elsewhere, top maegashira Kotomitsuki tripped up fan favorite
Takamisakari to pick up his fourth win against nine losses. Komusubi
Takamisakari fell to 4-9. 
--
Consequences, shmonsequences, as long as I'm rich.  - D. Duck