Undefeated Hakuho dominates Asashoryu

The Associated Press
Hakuho overwhelmed fellow Mongolian Asashoryu on Sunday to finish the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with a perfect 15-0 record.

Hakuho, who is all but certain to be promoted to grand champion, wrapped up his second straight Emperor's Cup on Saturday, and Sunday's win over sumo's lone grand champion will add to his resume for promotion.
"I want to be a strong yokozuna," Hakuho said. "I had some injuries last year but was able to stay focused and fight my own sumo."
Hakuho won the Spring tourney in March. The Japan Sumo Association will deliberate on Hakuho's promotion to the sport's highest rank on Monday and it is widely regarded that two titles in a row for an ozeki are good enough to be promoted.
Sumo hasn't had two grand champions competing at the same time since November of 2003.
If he is promoted, the 22-year-old Hakuho would become sumo's 69th yokozuna and the second from Mongolia.
In Sunday's final bout, Hakuho and Asashoryu engaged in a long standoff at the center of the ring before Hakuho finally prevailed with an arm throw that sent Asashoryu sprawling to the dirt surface.
Elsewhere, Kaio quickly dispatched fellow ozeki Kotooshu of Bulgaria to finish the tournament with a solid 10-5 record.
Kotooshu, who defeated Asashoryu in Saturday, fell to 9-6.
No. 8 maegashira Asasekiryu had an impressive run and finished with a solid 12-3 record to win the Technique Prize.
Sekiwake Kotomitsuki overpowered ozeki Chiyotaikai to finish with a 12-3 record and improve his chances for promotion to ozeki.
Chiyotaikai closed out with a 10-5 record, good enough to maintain his status at the sport's second-highest rank.

One more chance for Hakuho

Having been given a second chance, Mongolian ozeki Hakuho has a nervous 15 days ahead of him with promotion to sumo's highest rank well within his grasp.

Hakuho will launch a fresh bid to convince sumo elders when the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament gets under way Sunday at Ryogoku Kokugikan after being overlooked despite his strong 13-2 performance last time out.

Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi has suggested that another 13-win showing or better would enable the 21-year-old to join fellow Ulan Bator native Asashoryu as a grand champion regardless of whether he lifts the Emperor's Cup.

Hakuho is already feeling the pressure, uncharacteristically showing some clumsiness in his moves in pre-tournament training sessions.

"In recent sessions, Hakuho didn't show what most other promotion candidates have done before," ozeki Tochiazuma said after having practice bouts with him on Wednesday. "He needs to show the strength, that is, he has to push forward more often like the yokozuna (Asashoryu) does without being passive."

Some sumo elders echo Tochiazuma in pointing out that Hakuho is relying more than usual on his techniques than on power.

Hakuho shrugged off such concerns, saying his preparations for the Sept. 10-24 event have gone smoothly.

In fact, Hakuho has already notched the number of wins the JSA normally requires wrestlers to have to be considered for yokozuna promotion under its loosely set standards. He has had at least 13 wins in all of the four tournaments held this year, including a 14 to win the Emperor's Cup in May.

Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006
Source:The Japan Times

Day 1 is always critical for the confidence. Again we see the result we don't wanted. This is all for the hope of a new Yokozuno to be born. Let us close our fingers and pray for the best outcome after 15 days.

Hakuho lost to Kisenosato in day 1.

September

September shall see the Aki-Basho. The Grand Sumo Tournamant. It starts on Sun. Sept. 10th,2006 to Sept. 24th, 2006.

September's Aki Basho approaches and as was the case prior to Nagoya in July, with it comes the talk of how Mongolian ozeki Hakuho will fare; whether or not he'll be performing the yokozuna dohyo-iri alongside yokozuna Asashoryu at the next tournament.

Nagoya Basho 2006-Day 8

Great to see Takamisakari win.

Hakuho in Action

Hakuho grappled with 20-year-old Kisenosato at the center of the ring before getting a left-handed grip on his opponent's belt and powering-driving him over the edge to stay one off the pace at 7-1. Kisenosato fell to 2-6.
Hakuho won the summer meet in May and is aiming for promotion to yokozuna with a second consecutive title win in Nagoya.





(Kyodo) _ Yokozuna Asashoryu overpowered Ama to maintain his spotless record in a share of the lead with ozeki Tochiazuma Sunday, while promotion-chasing Hakuho muscled out Kisenosato on the eighth day of action at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Asashoryu pushed his opponent's feet up against the straw bales and set up Ama for a perfectly executed right-handed underarm throw as the No. 4 maegashira struggled to gain leverage in the final bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
The Mongolian grand champion improved to 8-0 with Tochiazuma, who posted the eight wins necessary to keep his ozeki status after winning a bout by default against disgrace-hit Russian Roho.
Asashoryu missed the summer basho due to a right elbow injury in May but is still the odds-on favorite to win his career 17th title as the 15-day meet enters the second week.

Senshuraku- Day 15 Sumo-May 2006

My prediction was right!
Hakuho and Miyabiyama's
play-off is amazing finale
to this May Basho.
To all sumo lover, this is
a great ending to see a
newly promoted Ozeki
win the Tournament!

Day 14 Sumo May 2006

Hakuho is one day away
from a possible Championship.

Day 13 Sumo May 2006

Hakuho is set to go for
final day show down with
Miyabiyama. Both stand at
12:1

Day 11 Sumo May 2006

Chiyotaikai always can't keep his trusting
momentum. Lost to Miyabiyama today.
Hakuho looks very good in the
tournament. Both Hakuho and Miyabiyama
stand at 10:1 on day 11.



Hakuho beats Tokitenku

Day 9 Sumo May 2006

Takamisakari at his best.

Day 8 Sumo May 2006

Chiyotaikai may have injured
his left arm. He drops one
match to Asasekiryu to make
the tournament wide open.
Hakuho wins today.

Day 6 Sumo- May 2006

Chiyotaikai Vs Takekaze
Chiyotaikai looks charged-up
this Basho, with Asashoryu out
on 2nd day, he stands a good
chance to win the championship.

Day 5 Sumo, May 2006

Hakuho is not lucky today.
It is still early day, 10 more
days to go.

Hakuho Beats Kisenosato

On Day 4, Hakuho keeps a clean
winning records. This is the
basho I am waiting for.

Wakanosato beats kotooshu- Day 3

Wakanosato shows his true colour this
time.

2006 MAY SUMO (NATSU)

On the 2nd day,(8th May 2006) Wakanosato
Beats Asashoryu, ending Asashoryu's
chance to win another championship.
So, it is wide open for everyone.
Hope Hakuho can do it this time.

Hakuho Sumo

Hakuho has the style of Takanohana,
one day, very soon, he will beat
the hell out of everyone.
Enjoy this one!

Sumo-March 2006-Senshuraku

Great to see To see Tochiazuma beat Asashoryu. It is sad to see Tochiazuma missed the opportunity to be promoted to Yokuzuna. Kaio beats Hakuho to save his rank as Ozaki. Sad to see Hakuho lost to Asashoryu on Championship replay.It is not the result I want. I wish for a better Basho in May 2006.

14TH Day Haru Basho 2006

Asashoryu beats Kotooshu.

13 Day Sumo