Atamifuji Overpowers Churanoumi, Stands Alone at 4-0
Sekiwake Atamifuji, 24 (Isegahama), forced out new komusubi Churanoumi, 33 (Kise), on Day 4 and is the only unbeaten man in makuuchi after Dewanoryu, Takanosho and Kinbozan all lost, Sponichi reports. Blocking Churanoumi's left front grip, he got his right arm inside and moved forward; he briefly pulled at the edge but drove him back and out (Daily Sports, Sponichi). He leads Churanoumi 9-2 head to head; Churanoumi is 1-3. He again declined interviews; Sponichi says he passed word through a tsukebito that he will not talk to the media during the basho.
Judging chief Asakayama (ex-ozeki Kaio): 'He's looking at his opponent and attacking forward. It'd be good if this continues. He fell apart in the second half last time, so as long as that doesn't happen.' He says Atamifuji is putting both hands down firmly at the tachi-ai, lowering his center of gravity: 'Coming in low from below with that body, opponents feel the weight.' Hakkaku: 'He has weight and the content is good. All that's left is the mental side.' His stablemaster Isegahama (ex-yokozuna Terunofuji): 'It's only Day 4. Too early.' Daily Sports notes that after 9 and 12 wins he managed only 8-7 in his ozeki run in September (losing his last five), so 13 wins here would reach 33 over three basho. Day 5 brings a sekiwake showdown with Fujinokawa.
Sources: Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sponichi) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sponichi) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Nikkan Sports) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Tokyo Sports) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sports Hochi) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Daily Sports)