Yokozuna Hakuho bounced back from his first loss and collected his 10th win of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka. On Wednesday he remain in a two-way tie for the lead with Bulgarian sumo wrestler Aoiyama.
The Mongolian-born yokozuna overcame komusubi Hokutofuji, while chasing a record-extending 44th title. Hakuho hit a roadblock when he gave up the sole lead after a shock upset on Day 10.
The other co-leader, No. 13 Aoiyama, is keeping the pressure by beating rookie Kotonowaka.
Aoiyama (10-1) was nearly pulled down by the lowly No. 18 maegashira in his initial charge, but the Bulgarian recovered and used his 193-kg frame to drive Kotonowaka to the straw and thrust him out.
The next rung on the leaderboard also remained the same, with Kakuryu headlining a group of four on the heels of Hakuho and Aoiyama.
Source: Japan Times