FUKUOKA – Ukrainian prodigy Aonishiki kept alive his bid for a maiden championship by continuing his head-to-head dominance over yokozuna Hoshoryu at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.
The 21-year-old sekiwake regained a share of the lead at 11-3 by once again overwhelming the Mongolian-born star after fellow yokozuna and overnight leader Onosato was beaten by ozeki Kotozakura on the penultimate day of the 15-day competition.
Aonishiki, who had dropped from the top rung of the leaderboard with his loss to Onosato on Friday, now heads into a dramatic final day at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in a three-way tie with the two yokozuna.
Looking to avoid a defeat that would have eliminated him from the title race, Aonishiki exploded off the mark and pushed out Hoshoryu before he had a chance to counter.
“I wanted to do my brand of sumo by staying low and going inside, and I was able to do that,” said Aonishiki, who is now three wins from three against Hoshoryu.
“I’m not really thinking too much about that aspect. I just have one day remaining and I want to make sure I perform my best.”
September champion Onosato found himself in an awkward position against Kotozakura (8-6) after the pair went chest to chest at the opening charge.
The ozeki, needing victory to ensure a winning record for the tournament, got the upper hand with a strong belt grip that he used to force the five-time Emperor’s Cup winner over the straw bales.
In other action on Day 14, komusubi Takayasu (7-7) avoided a critical eighth loss and staved off demotion by pushing out No. 6 maegashira Atamifuji (7-7).
Former sekiwake and current No. 2 maegashira Wakamotoharu (8-6) put himself in the frame for promotion back to the three “sanyaku” ranks below yokozuna with his all-important eighth win at the expense of No. 9 maegashira Midorifuji (6-8).
There will be no imminent sanyaku return, however, for Wakamotoharu’s younger brother, No. 1 maegashira Wakatakakage, who dropped to 6-8 as he was pushed out by No. 7 maegashira Churanoumi (7-7).
