Veteran Kyokutenho wins 1st title at summer sumo
TOKYO (AP) -Unheralded veteran Kyokutenho of Mongolia won the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, capturing his first Emperor's Cup with a win over Tochiozan in a championship playoff.
Kyokutenho, who is ranked just seventh in sumo's elite division, threw down fourth-ranked Tochiozan in an extra deciding bout after both wrestlers finished the 15-day tournament with 12 wins and three losses.
Kyokutenho beat Goeido in regulation and Tochiozan won by default over Bulgarian Kotooshu, who was forced to pull out of the final day's bouts with a foot injury.
The 37-year-old Kyokutenho arrived in Japan 20 years ago and has spent most of his career as a rank-and-filer. His highest position was when he reached the third highest rank of sekiwake.
Grand champion Hakuho, also of Mongolia, was bidding for his 23rd Emperor's Cup but finished with a sub-par 10-5 record.
© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Kyokutenho, who is ranked just seventh in sumo's elite division, threw down fourth-ranked Tochiozan in an extra deciding bout after both wrestlers finished the 15-day tournament with 12 wins and three losses.
Kyokutenho beat Goeido in regulation and Tochiozan won by default over Bulgarian Kotooshu, who was forced to pull out of the final day's bouts with a foot injury.
The 37-year-old Kyokutenho arrived in Japan 20 years ago and has spent most of his career as a rank-and-filer. His highest position was when he reached the third highest rank of sekiwake.
Grand champion Hakuho, also of Mongolia, was bidding for his 23rd Emperor's Cup but finished with a sub-par 10-5 record.
© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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