Latest news with #Ichiyamamoto
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki moves closer to maiden title
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Rising Ukrainian star Aonishiki continued to thrill fans at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday as he held onto a share of the lead heading into the final weekend. The 21-year-old No. 1 maegashira is tied at 11-2 with fellow rank-and-file grappler Kotoshoho after outmaneuvering title contender Ichiyamamoto on Day 13 at IG Arena. Aonishiki stayed low in the face of a strong opening charge from No. 8 maegashira Ichiyamamoto and used a left-hand inside grip to secure victory by force out. "I was able to do my style of sumo," said Aonishiki, who has claimed a succession of high-profile victims in Nagoya. "I'm glad I could persevere and get inside my opponent's defense." A former youth sumo competitor in Ukraine, Aonishiki came to Japan in April 2022 to escape the war raging in his home country against Russia. He is potentially two days away from clinching his first Emperor's Cup in just his third top-division tournament and 12th overall. If he succeeds, he will become the fifth-youngest maiden makuuchi division champion at 21 years and four months, coming in just behind all-time great Hakuho at 21 years and two months. The 182-centimeter, 138-kilogram youngster has earned plaudits for his dynamic wrestling from both fans and sumo insiders, including chief referee Kokonoe after the win against Ichiyamamoto. "Every aspect was good," said Kokonoe, formerly ozeki Chiyotaikai. "He's a little samurai from Ukraine, isn't he."
Kyodo News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Onosato survives against Ichiyamamoto, stays 1 win off pace
NAGOYA - New yokozuna Onosato stayed one win off the pace at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament following a lucky escape against joint overnight leader Ichiyamamoto on Thursday. The 25-year-old grand champion won a rematch with the No. 8 maegashira after the ringside officials could not determine a clear winner in the day's final scheduled bout, which was initially awarded to Ichiyamamoto. The result saw Onosato (9-3) finish Day 12 at IG Arena alongside Ichiyamamoto and two other wrestlers on the second rung of the leaderboard, as the four-man leading pack was whittled down to young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho at 10-2. Having failed to beat Onosato in two previous attempts, Ichiyamamoto appeared to find success with a push out after the yokozuna opted for a badly judged pull. But replays showed the maegashira's leg hitting the clay as his top-ranked opponent flew off the dohyo, prompting the judges to convene in the middle. After a long deliberation, the officials ordered a rematch, with Onosato once again ceding ground with a pull but ultimately winning by push out. No. 1 maegashira Aonishiki continued his stunning run at the 15-day tournament with victory over two-time Emperor's Cup winner Tamawashi (8-4). The 21-year-old European absorbed Tamawashi's initial thrusts before securing a belt grip and executing an underarm throw. The 25-year-old Kotoshoho, whose career-high ranking is No. 3 maegashira, kept his share of the lead by slapping down title-contending komusubi Takayasu (8-4), the winner of six of their eight past meetings. Top-division rookie Kusano (9-3) relinquished his share of the lead in a loss to sekiwake Wakatakakage (8-4). The former college star, fighting as a No. 14 maegashira, succumbed to a frontal crush out after a vigorous battle between the two athletic combatants. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji (9-3) stayed one win back from the lead by thrusting out No. 16 maegashira Mitakeumi (8-4). Ozeki Kotozakura (7-5) closed to within one win of the eight needed to avoid demotion-threatened "kadoban" status in September with a force-out victory over sekiwake Kirishima (8-4) that dented the Mongolian-born grappler's title hopes.
The Mainichi
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Onosato survives against Ichiyamamoto, stays 1 win off pace
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- New yokozuna Onosato stayed one win off the pace at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament following a lucky escape against joint overnight leader Ichiyamamoto on Thursday. The 25-year-old grand champion won a rematch with the No. 8 maegashira after the ringside officials could not determine a clear winner in the day's final scheduled bout, which was initially awarded to Ichiyamamoto. The result saw Onosato (9-3) finish Day 12 at IG Arena alongside Ichiyamamoto and two other wrestlers on the second rung of the leaderboard, as the four-man leading pack was whittled down to young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho at 10-2. Having failed to beat Onosato in two previous attempts, Ichiyamamoto appeared to find success with a push out after the yokozuna opted for a badly judged pull. But replays showed the maegashira's leg hitting the clay as his top-ranked opponent flew off the dohyo, prompting the judges to convene in the middle. After a long deliberation, the officials ordered a rematch, with Onosato once again ceding ground with a pull but ultimately winning by push out. No. 1 maegashira Aonishiki continued his stunning run at the 15-day tournament with victory over two-time Emperor's Cup winner Tamawashi (8-4). The 21-year-old European absorbed Tamawashi's initial thrusts before securing a belt grip and executing an underarm throw. The 25-year-old Kotoshoho, whose career-high ranking is No. 3 maegashira, kept his share of the lead by slapping down title-contending komusubi Takayasu (8-4), the winner of six of their eight past meetings. Top-division rookie Kusano (9-3) relinquished his share of the lead in a loss to sekiwake Wakatakakage (8-4). The former college star, fighting as a No. 14 maegashira, succumbed to a frontal crush out after a vigorous battle between the two athletic combatants. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji (9-3) stayed one win back from the lead by thrusting out No. 16 maegashira Mitakeumi (8-4). Ozeki Kotozakura (7-5) closed to within one win of the eight needed to avoid demotion-threatened "kadoban" status in September with a force-out victory over sekiwake Kirishima (8-4) that dented the Mongolian-born grappler's title hopes.
Kyodo News
5 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Ichiyamamoto falls into share of lead, Onosato stays in hunt
NAGOYA - Rank-and-filer Ichiyamamoto suffered his second loss of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at the hands of veteran komusubi Takayasu on Wednesday, dropping him into a four-way tie for the lead at 9-2. Grand champion Onosato, the lone yokozuna at Nagoya's new IG Arena after Hoshoryu's injury withdrawal, managed to beat Mongolian-born sekiwake Kirishima, leaving the two at 8-3 after Day 11 of the 15-day tournament. Onosato is bidding to win his yokozuna debut tournament after winning the previous two meets in March and May to raise his career top-division title count to four. No. 8 maegashira Ichiyamamoto is now tied for the lead with rising Ukrainian star Aonishiki, Kusano and Kotoshoho, fellow maegashira wrestlers who are ranked first, 14th and 15th. Former ozeki Takayasu (8-3) executed an underarm throw to win his hard-fought battle against Ichiyamamoto, a 31-year-old who is looking for his first championship in the elite makuuchi division. "Without giving up, I've been trying to improve my sumo, so I'm glad to have secured a winning record," Takayasu said. "I wanted to take the initiative (against Ichiyamamoto). He was tough and made me work hard for the win." Aonishiki continued his impressive run with a force-out victory over No. 2 maegashira Abi (6-5). Trailing behind at 8-3 are Onosato, Kirishima, Takayasu, No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi, No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji and No. 16 maegashira Mitakeumi. Struggling ozeki Kotozakura (6-5) picked up an important victory in his attempt to secure at least a winning record of 8-7, defeating 40-year-old iron man Tamawashi.
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Ichiyamamoto falls into share of lead, Onosato stays in hunt
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Rank-and-filer Ichiyamamoto suffered his second loss of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at the hands of veteran komusubi Takayasu on Wednesday, dropping him into a four-way tie for the lead at 9-2. Grand champion Onosato, the lone yokozuna at Nagoya's new IG Arena after Hoshoryu's injury withdrawal, managed to beat Mongolian-born sekiwake Kirishima, leaving the two at 8-3 after Day 11 of the 15-day tournament. Onosato is bidding to win his yokozuna debut tournament after winning the previous two meets in March and May to raise his career top-division title count to four. No. 8 maegashira Ichiyamamoto is now tied for the lead with rising Ukrainian star Aonishiki, Kusano and Kotoshoho, fellow maegashira wrestlers who are ranked first, 14th and 15th. Former ozeki Takayasu (8-3) executed an underarm throw to win his hard-fought battle against Ichiyamamoto, a 31-year-old who is looking for his first championship in the elite makuuchi division. "Without giving up, I've been trying to improve my sumo, so I'm glad to have secured a winning record," Takayasu said. "I wanted to take the initiative (against Ichiyamamoto). He was tough and made me work hard for the win." Aonishiki continued his impressive run with a force-out victory over No. 2 maegashira Abi (6-5). Trailing behind at 8-3 are Onosato, Kirishima, Takayasu, No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi, No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji and No. 16 maegashira Mitakeumi. Struggling ozeki Kotozakura (6-5) picked up an important victory in his attempt to secure at least a winning record of 8-7, defeating 40-year-old iron man Tamawashi.
