Terunofuji bid for 10th career title hits roadblock

Yokozuna Terunofuji had a chance to win his 10th career title with one day remaining at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday. Not so fast, said No. 6 maegashira Takanosho.

Takanosho kept his slim title hopes alive by defeating Terunofuji in the final match of the day at Dolphins Arena, sending the title fight to the final day.

Terunofuji, who dropped to 12-2, can still win the title with a win on Sunday. A loss, combined with a win by Takanosho (11-3), would force a play-off between the two.

Terunofuji was never in the ascendancy in Saturday’s match as Takanosho took control from the jump-off and eventually forced him over the line to take his fifth victory in the twelve meetings between the two.

In a career plagued by serious injuries to both knees and his back, Terunofuji is looking for his second title of the year after the New Year Tournament in January, after which he dropped out early or midway through the last two tournaments.

In another move, Kotozakura added to fellow ozeki Takakeisho’s woeful tournament, stopping him at the barrage and then gradually forcing him back and out of the ring. Kotozakura improved to 9-5, while the relegation-bound Takakeisho fell to 5-9.

Takakeisho fought in kadoban status, meaning he needed a majority of wins to maintain his rank. The losing record ends his streak of 30 tournaments in the second-highest rank.

Sekiwake Onosato, the surprise winner of the summer tournament in only his seventh tournament since joining the pros after college, made short work of Churanoumi, quickly pushing him out of the ring to bring his score to 9-5. Churanoumi lost a solid 10-4, which also ended his slim title chances.

In a sekiwake bout, Abi knocked out Kirishima to secure his kachikoshi eighth victory. Kirishima, who had hoped to achieve the 10 wins needed to regain the ozeki rank he lost after the last tournament, is now 7-7 and must win on the final day to avoid another demotion.