Day 6: Hoshoryu Ends His Slide; Asanoyama Hands Atamifuji His First Loss, Leaving Nine Men Tied at 5-1
Yokozuna Hoshoryu, back after three straight absences, forced out Takayasu to stop a three-bout losing streak and even his record at 3-3, avoiding a fourth straight kinboshi. Onosato pushed down Hakunofuji for his fifth straight win since an opening-day loss. Sekiwake Atamifuji, the last unbeaten man in makuuchi, was forced out by Asanoyama, so nine wrestlers now share the lead at 5-1 (Kyodo News, Jiji Press).
Among the ozeki, Kirishima beat Fujiryoga by yoritaoshi to go 5-1, and Aonishiki threw new komusubi Churanoumi with an uwatenage to go 4-2; Churanoumi is 1-5. Kotozakura lost to komusubi Yoshinofuji's uwatenage at the edge and has two losses; Yoshinofuji, now 4-2, has beaten a yokozuna and two ozeki. Sekiwake Fujinokawa pushed out Ura and is 2-4 (Kyodo News, Yomiuri Shimbun, Sports Hochi).
The 5-1 leaders: Onosato, Kirishima, Atamifuji, Wakamotoharu, Kinbozan, Takanosho, Asahakuryu, Dewanoryu and Arashifuji (Daily Sports). Makuuchi newcomer Arashifuji pushed down juryo's Kazekeno and Dewanoryu pushed out Abi to stay in the group. Tamawashi, who returned to makuuchi at 41 years 11 months, the oldest since the start of Showa, was pushed out by Kitanowaka and has three losses (Sponichi).
Sources: Yahoo! Japan Sports (Kyodo News) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Yomiuri Shimbun) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sports Hochi) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sponichi) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Daily Sports)