Day 5: Hoshoryu Gives Up a Third Straight Kinboshi; Atamifuji Is Alone at 5-0
Yokozuna Hoshoryu, back after three straight absences, was forced out by Fujiseiun and gave up a kinboshi for the third day in a row, falling to 2-3 (Jiji Press, Kyodo News). Onosato slapped down Ura for his fourth straight win since an opening-day loss and is 4-1. All three ozeki won: Kotozakura and Kirishima forced out Takayasu and Asanoyama to reach 4-1, and Aonishiki beat Hakunofuji with a shitatenage to go 3-2. In the battle of sekiwake, Atamifuji drove Fujinokawa down (yoritaoshi) to stay the only unbeaten man in makuuchi; Fujinokawa is 1-4. In the komusubi bout, Yoshinofuji forced out Churanoumi for his third win; Churanoumi has four losses (Yomiuri Shimbun Online, Sports Hochi).
Fujiryoga, who has already beaten a yokozuna and two ozeki, toppled Takerufuji (yoritaoshi) to go 4-1 and meets Kirishima on Day 6; a win would make it one yokozuna and three ozeki (Sponichi). Hoshoryu faces Takayasu on Day 6 (Chunichi Sports). Daily Sports lists eleven men one win behind Atamifuji at 4-1: Onosato, Kotozakura, Kirishima, Fujiryoga, Wakamotoharu, Kinbozan, Oshoma, Takanosho, Asahakuryu, Dewanoryu and Arashifuji.
In its Day 5 preview, Sports Hochi quoted Hakkaku on Atamifuji: 'I've been saying it since last basho: he has gotten stronger. The only issue is the mental side.'
Sources: Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Kyodo News) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Yomiuri Shimbun Online) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sports Hochi) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sponichi) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Chunichi Sports) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Daily Sports) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sports Hochi (Day 5 preview)) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press photo)