Day 7: Onosato, Kirishima and Atamifuji Lead a Seven-Way Tie at 6-1; Hoshoryu Goes Above .500, Aonishiki Falls to 4-3
Yokozuna Onosato forced out new komusubi Churanoumi for his sixth straight win, and yokozuna Hoshoryu, back from three straight absences, beat Yoshinofuji by sotogake for a second straight win to go 4-3 (Kyodo News). Among the ozeki, Kirishima forced out Hakunofuji to stay at one loss, Kotozakura pushed out Ura to go 5-2, and Aonishiki fell to Fujiseiun's uwatenage and dropped to 4-3. Sekiwake Atamifuji forced out Fujiryoga to stay at one loss, while sekiwake Fujinokawa was pushed down by Asanoyama for his fifth loss (Kyodo News, Jiji Press, Yomiuri Shimbun).
Seven men are tied for the lead at 6-1: Onosato, Kirishima, Atamifuji, Wakamotoharu, Kinbozan, Asahakuryu and makuuchi newcomer Arashifuji (Sports Hochi). Arashifuji pushed out a stubborn Asasuiryu, and Wakamotoharu pushed out Daieisho while his younger brother Wakatakakage stays perfect in juryo (Daily Sports). Dewanoryu lost to Daiseizan by sukuinage and has two losses; Shishi lost to Asahakuryu and is 0-7 (Sponichi, Tokyo Sports). Tamawashi, at 41 the oldest man to return to makuuchi since the start of Showa, pushed down Toshinofuji to go 4-3 (Sponichi).
In its morning preview, Sports Hochi credited Kirishima's tachi-ai for his form and called Onosato the favorite, while warning that Hoshoryu's right knee rules out long bouts. Jiji Press photos show Onosato's win, Wakamotoharu attacking Daieisho and Arashifuji's push-out.
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) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sports Hochi / preview) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press photo / Onosato) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press photo / Wakamotoharu) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press photo / Arashifuji)