Yokozuna Terunofuji falls on upset-filled day at Spring Grand Sumo Tournament

OSAKA – Terunofuji, sumo’s lone yokozuna misplaced to No. 1 maegashira Daieisho on a day of upsets on the Spring Grand Sumo Event on Monday.

Newly promoted Mitakeumi was the one victorious ozeki on Day 2, with each demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki, Takakeisho and Shodai, failing to make progress towards the eight wins required to keep away from dropping from sumo’s second-highest rank.

Former sekiwake Daieisho (2-0) used a strong thrusting assault to defeat Terunofuji within the final bout of the day at Edion Area Osaka, which is internet hosting a grand event with spectators for the primary time for the reason that begin of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The maegashira, who had crushed Terunofuji (1-1) in September, managed to maintain the Mongolian-born yokozuna away from his belt, knocking him off steadiness and shoving him out from behind.

“My opening cost wasn’t nice, however I used to be in a position to maintain going,” Daieisho mentioned. “I’ll attempt to stick with it tomorrow.”

January winner Mitakeumi was too sturdy for the opposite No. 1, Ura (0-2), pushing him out to remain undefeated as an ozeki.

Following a robust opening hit, Mitakeumi fended off a leg-pick try by his slippery opponent and bundled him over the straw bales.

Takakeisho (1-1) was unable to determine his most popular pushing sumo in opposition to large No. 2 Ichinojo (1-1), who halted the ozeki on the opening conflict and compelled him out with a sequence of sturdy shoves.

“I simply need to maintain transferring ahead and good issues will occur,” Ichinojo mentioned.

Shodai (0-2) by no means appeared to be within the contest in opposition to komusubi Takanosho (1-1), who shortly secured victory by way of push out.

Having strung collectively one lackluster event after one other, Shodai has given no indication he can keep away from demotion on the 15-day meet.

Abi (1-1) earned his first win as a sekiwake, blowing away No. 2 Tamawashi (1-1) from the soar along with his trademark thrusting sumo.

Sekiwake Wakatakakage (2-0) reeled off one other spectacular win in his first meet at sumo’s third-highest rank, shortly crushing out No. 3 Onosho (1-1).

New komusubi Hoshoryu dropped to 0-2 in his debut event among the many three elite sanyaku ranks beneath yokozuna, after he was thrown down by No. 4 Kiribayama (2-0).