Kotozakura Slaps Down Newly Promoted Komusubi Churanoumi; Hakkaku Sees 'No Margin'
Ozeki Kotozakura (Sadogatake), who lost to Fujiryoga on Day 1, won on Day 2 by hatakikomi over new komusubi Churanoumi, 33 (Kise), who became the first Okinawa native to reach sanyaku. Nikkan Sports says Churanoumi charged low, but as he stepped further in he was deflected from the left, lost his balance and was slapped down. It is Churanoumi's second straight loss after Day 1 against yokozuna Hoshoryu.
JSA chairman Hakkaku (ex-yokozuna Hokutoumi) saw Churanoumi as having no margin when pushing forward: 'If you have to go all out to push, you can't. That's why pushing strength matters, so you have room to spare.' He said a new komusubi should aim to push with about 70 percent of his strength.