Sumo: Kotoshoho nears title as Kusano downs Aonishiki to stay in race
Kotoshoho (12-2) traded shoves and slaps with Kirishima (8-6) before the sharp-looking title chaser stepped to his right to dodge the outrushing sekiwake and threw the former ozeki out of the ring at IG Arena, having grabbed a right overarm belt hold.
Kotoshoho has stagnated since making his top-tier makuuchi division debut in Nagoya in 2020, spending time both as a rank-and-filer as well as in second-tier juryo. The 25-year-old from Chiba Prefecture is on the verge of his first Emperor's Cup, however, following an impressive nine straight wins.
Makuuchi debutant Kusano (11-3), who won back-to-back juryo championships to clinch promotion to the top tier, secured an fine victory over Ukrainian star Aonishiki (11-3) to keep his title hopes alive.
The pair clashed head-on and it was Kusano who quickly seized a firm left overarm belt hold before the No. 14 maegashira immediately shifted his body attempting to pull the top-ranked maegashira down. A relentless Kusano grappled forward and Aonishiki stepped out before he was floored by an ensuing throw.
Atamifuji (10-4) fell out of the title race after the No. 10 maegashira failed to make the most of his promising start against komusubi Takayasu (9-5). His vigilant attack had Takayasu on tiptoes on the straw but the lack of a final push allowed the former ozeki to recover and win with an emphatic right underarm throw.
Yokozuna debutant Onosato (10-4), who was out of contention before appearing for the day's final bout, put aside his bad habit of backing off easily and instead kept driving at sekiwake Wakatakakage (9-5) in a one-sided push-out win.
Ozeki Kotozakura (8-6) secured a winning record with a beltless arm throw against No. 5 maegashira Hiradoumi (7-7).
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