Day 6: Dewanoryu Pushes Out Abi to Join the Leaders, Fired Up by Mitakeumi's 'It's Revenge'
Makuuchi newcomer Dewanoryu, 25 (Dewanoumi), West Maegashira 14, pushed out West Maegashira 12 Abi, 32 (Shikoroyama), on Day 6 to go 5-1 and join the nine-man lead. Abi, who hurt his right ankle on Day 2, retreated straight back when the shorter-armed Dewanoryu thrust back at him. The two last met five and a half years ago, at the May 2021 basho, when they were fighting for the makushita title. 'Back then he thrust me out one-sidedly. Winning gives me confidence,' Dewanoryu said with a smile. Before the bout, stablemate Mitakeumi, the former ozeki he used to serve as tsukebito, told him, 'It's revenge, huh,' and he was delighted that Mitakeumi remembered a matchup from so long ago. 'I want to keep climbing higher' (Sponichi).
Source: Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sponichi)