Mongolia Brief March 19, 2014
President
Receives Players of "Khasyn Khulguud" Team
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) On Tuesday, the President Ts.Elbegdorj received basketball
players of the "Khasyn khulguud" team, the national basketball
league.
The meeting also
brought together the team’s director, general coach, and representatives of the
sponsors.
The team coach
thanked the leader of the country for the audience and said his team achieved
three wins at the national league in 2008, 2009 and 2010, making thus the
record in the league's history. The team also won the 2013-2014 season, and it
wants to create a tradition of organizing a reception with the President to
honor a winner of the national basketball league.
After this,
representatives of the Xas Bank and the "SB Logistics" company talked
about a financing for the team.
The President
Elbegdorj granted the visitors a basketball with a signature of Michael Jordan.
Australia
- Mongolia mining industry cooperation
March 19
(Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia) Mongolian Foreign Minister L.Bold
and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop Tuesday announced a five-year, $20
million program to assist the sustainable development of the resources sector
in Mongolia.
Australian
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in the statement “Like Western Australia,
Mongolia"s economy is driven by mining and resources. The
Australia-Mongolia Extractives Program will utilise Australian expertise in
Mongolia to help ensure the benefits of the mining sector are spread across its
entire population.
Whether in
Australia or Mongolia, private-sector led growth is key to a growing economy.
Releasing
Mongolia’s fledgling mining industry from a failed mining tax has greatly
benefited the economy. Australia is pledging to support the Mongolian
Government with financial assistance and expertise that will improve governance
in the mining sector, opening their economy up to international investment and
development opportunities.
The program
will also improve access to technical and vocational education and training in
disadvantaged communities in Mongolia so they are better equipped to gain
employment in the mining industry.
I welcome
Foreign Minister L.Bold to Australia - the first by a Mongolian Foreign
Minister to Australia in over twenty years. The visit will provide the
opportunity to discuss our countries" expanding partnership and how
Australian investment in major mining projects like Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi can
help boost the Mongolian economy.
During Foreign
Minister L.Bold’s visit Australia and Mongolia will sign a Memorandum of
Understanding on Consular Cooperation.
The Australian
Government’s existing $5 million partnership with the World Bank is also
presently helping to strengthen management of groundwater resources in the
southern Gobi region.
“Rosneft”
offers oil exploration in Mongolia
March 19
(news.mn) President of Russian oil giant, Rosneft Oil Company and Chairman of
the Management Board, Igor Sechin, had a three-hour stay in Mongolia on March
17th. Igor Sechin was believed to come to Mongolia to make further moves into
Mongolia`s oil market.
In his three
hours stay in Ulaanbaatar, Mr. Sechin managed to meet President Ts.Elbegdorj,
Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag and Minister of Mining D.Gankhuyag.
According to
the official website of Rosneft, Mr. Sechin discussed with government officials
of Mongolia about cooperation to increase petroleum supply and delivery of
packed bitumen products from Angarsk Petrochemical Refinery to Mongolia and the
possible cooperation on oil exploration. Also the website states that parties
negotiated to create both task forces to formulate and complete the
project.
Last year,
Rosneft delivered 700,000 tons of petroleum, or 54 percent of Mongolia`s total
consumption of petroleum products for a year.
According to
the official website of the Ministry of Mining Mongolia, Mr. Sechin is quoted
as saying: “As shipping oil by rail is expensive, Russia is ready to sign a
long-term agreement on supplying oil products via a pipeline from Russia to
Mongolia.”
It also reports
that both sides exchanged information reciprocally on the issue and agreed to
study the proposal.
Mongolia has
import petroleum from Rosneft for over a decade. There was even a time when
Mongolia was 100 percent dependent on petroleum imports from Rosneft. Rosneft
also provides 80 percent of the diesel needed by Ulaanbaatar railway and
airlines.
With 1.3
million tons of petroleum consumed, Mongolia has the ambition to build its own
oil refinery plant. The proposed oil refinery plant will have the capacity to
process 20 million tons of oil per year. The plans for the refinery are to
import crude oil from Tamsag deposit in Mongolia as well as Angarsk in Russia.
Vice
Minister Receives Cuban Delegation
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) The Vice Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism
M.Tumenjargal Tuesday met with Mr Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos, the director of
Cuba's Foreign Ministry Department of Asia-Pacific Affairs.
The sides
exchanged views on ways of cooperating in sports sphere.
Then the guest
noted that his country has much experience in a tourism sphere. "We are
planning to receive three million tourists next year, and we are ready to share
with Mongolia an experience gained in this field," he added.
Second
Consultative Meeting between Mongolia and CubaOrganized in Ulaanbaatar
March 19
(infomongolia.com) The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the
Republic of Cuba organized thesecond consultative meeting in Ulaanbaatar on
March 17, 2014.
Mongolian part
was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister D.Gankhuyag and theCuban side by Director
of Asia and Oceania of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs MiguelAngel Ramirez
Ramos.
At the meeting,
parties confirmed their determination to consolidate Mongolia-Cubatraditional
friendly state relations, stimulate bilateral cooperation in the
majorcollaboration sectors of sports and education, agriculture and health. The
sides alsoexpressed their commitment to support each other within multilateral
cooperation.
During his stay
in Ulaanbaatar, Mr. Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos is planned to meet a member of
Mongolia-CubaParliamentary Group MP A.Bakei, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports
and Tourism L.Tumenjargal and officials from the HealthMinistry and the State
General Prosecutor's Office of Mongolia.
Mongolia and
the Republic of Cuba have established the diplomatic relations on December 07,
1960.
Related:
Foreign Ministries of
Mongolia and Cuba hold discussions – news.mn,
March 19
Social
Insurance Officer Worksat "11 11"
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) Ts.Urtnasan, a Chief of the Social Insurance Authority,
worked Wednesday at the "11 11" Center of the Government.
As a
significant part of questions sent to the center are always about social
insurances, pensions, social welfare and allowances, the Center decided this
time to invite a social insurance officer able for a direct interview with
people. On Wednesday, three thous. 500 people got connected to Urtnasan via
telephone and online to make inquiries mostly about the pension rise.
Mr Urtnasan
explained how pensions have increased since last February 1. He said the
minimum pension has risen to 207 thousand form 108 thousand togrog, "the
increase varies in accordance with existing amounts. There are nearly 318 thousand
pensioners in the nation".
Checkpoints to Shift into New Organizational Structure
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) The Cabinet Office organized "Reforms in border
checkpoints" consultative meeting on Wednesday.
At the meeting,
the Government’s actions to eliminate bureaucracy in the checkpoints activities
were presented and ways to correlate actions of the affiliated agencies were
explored.
At his opening
speech, the Chairman of the Cabinet Office Ch.Saikhanbileg read out a letter
sent from a citizen who experienced a great burden amid importing goods through
one of these ports. In order to pass freight priced at 14 thousand USD through
the port, the importer spent six thousand USD, a quarter of which went to
pockets of corrupt officers, the letter says.
In order to
reform activities and to abolish these kinds of corruption, the Government has
been making great efforts, Mr Saikhanbileg noted. Cooperation treaties recently
were concluded with relevant authorities of neighboring countries, and
technological advancements were introduced to the dry ports--main export gates,
he said.
Mr Saikhanbileg
announced that the border checkpoints authorities will shift into a new
organizational structure on this April 1.
SPO
Deputy Head Meets Mr Ramos
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) A deputy head of the State Prosecutor Office (SPO)
G.Erdenebat Monday met with Mr Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos, the director of
Cuba’s Foreign Ministry Department of Asia-Pacific Affairs.
They discussed
issues of strengthening the bilateral relations and an opportunity to
exchange experience between the two countries’ prosecutor bodies.
Mr Erdenebat
said the SPO is realizing a reform programme, it has worked on intensifying a
development of the prosecutor body, "we must learn foreign countries'
experience, and involve our staffers in foreign language training".
In turn, Mr
Ramos expressed a satisfaction with creation of the ties between the two
organizations and said that a visit of Mongolia’s SPO head to Cuba has contributed
to expanding of the bilateral ties.
Cuba has faced
to a requirement to change the legal mechanism in conjunction with reforms in
the economic mode, Mr Ramos noted.
Project
to Be Implemented to Develop Non-Cash Payment System
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) The Ministry of Economic Development and the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) have agreed to implement a "Payment System
Modernization" project here.
This two-year
project will address issues such as development of non-cash payment system and
advancement of inspection on monetary policies realization through controlling
money flows.
Under the
agreement, established between the parties, ADB will invest twenty million USD
to the project, while the Government of Mongolia will grant 2.5 million USD.
L.Amar, a senior
economist at ADB, pointed out direct and non-direct benefits of the project to
the economy and social development, as it will open a great opportunity to
increase a productivity of banks, support combating against money laundering
and other financial crimes, as well as to join international financial
markets.
The financing
from ADB will be in form of a loan with a term of 15 years.
Capital
City to Found Its Housing Corporation
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) A working group responsible for the establishment of a
Capital city's Housing Corporation was formed on Tuesday, under an ordinance of
the City Governor.
The Housing
Corporation will carry out actions aimed at opening of housing opportunities
for employed youth not able to save enough money to buy an apartment or to pay
its up-front fee.
The working
group led by S.Ochirbat, a deputy chairman responsible for city development and
investments at the Governor’s Office, will study international experiences in
implementing affordable housing programs and will develop related rules and
regulations on the establishment of the "Capital city's Housing Corporation",
which has been included in Ulaanbaatar Governor’s action plans, as well as in
the city’s economic and social goals for 2014.
Capital
City to Erect Its Logistics Center
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) A joint logistics center of freight forwarder is planned to
be erected in eastern part of the UB city.
Related
resolution has been issued by E.Bat-Uul, the City Mayor, and a working group
has been set up to create this center in frames of the state-private sector
partnership.
This is a part
of general plan on the city development until 2020, it has been also reflected
in the action plan of the City Mayor for 2013-2016.
The working
group will certify freight terminals operating in the city and will introduce
its outcome at meeting of the City's Management Council.
Public
Panel Discussion to Be Held on Currency Fluctuations in Mongolia
March 19
(infomongolia.com) The German-Mongolian Business Association (DMUV) is
organizing a public paneldiscussion in Ulaanbaatar about currency fluctuations
and how companies canmitigate their risks.
The event is
open for businesses and business organizations that will take place atBest
Western Tuushin Hotel starting at 05:00 pm on March 19, 2014.
The discussion
will highlight tools and solutions for companies having to deal withvolatile
currency rates, as well as the logic behind fluctuations and how to predictthem
in advance to reduce risks.
According to
organizers, the ADB Senior Country Economist Mr. Jan Hansen, TDBPresident Mr.
Randolph Koppa, Golomt Bank Executive Vice President Mrs. Luvsandorj BOLORMAA,
EY Managing Partner Mr.Peter Markey and other officials are to attend the
event.
An introduction
into recent currency rate developments will be given by Mrs. Lakshmi Bodsho,
Mongolian Economic Policy and Comprehensive Research Center.
Chairman
of OT Board of Directors Addresses Asia Mining Congress 2014
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) Chair of the Board of Directors of Oyu Tolgoi LLC Mr Batsukh
Galsan spoke of the challenges of building, running and developing a
mega-mining project like Oyu Tolgoi at the annual Asia Mining Congress kicked
off Monday in Singapore.
Regarding early
days of OT's development, Mr Batsukh said: “When the early discoveries were
made at OT - they created significant excitement in the investment world.
Gradually, these discoveries have put Mongolia on the global mining map”.
"Building
a mine and infrastructure on the scale needed was an obvious challenge. Today
construction of the open pit and concentrator is complete. OT is an operating
business, with a workforce of 7,500 people. We are now mining, producing and
selling copper concentrate. OT has all the keys for successful operation, based
on the strong support from the Government and Rio Tinto's global standard of
management and expertise," Mr Batsukh said.
"There is
more to do, but we are beginning the change from a capital-intensive
construction project to a safe, sustainable and profitable business, which
delivers value for all our shareholders and stakeholders," he emphasized.
Finally, the
Chairman reflected on all that has been achieved at OT and the challenges that
have been overcome: "We must remember only four years ago, there was only
a medium size camp, a lonely exploration shaft and those planning the
construction. Now, it is an operating mine complex, with some of the best
technology and people in the world.
"Yes, the
challenges were great. You need infrastructure, you need to create a supply
chain, you need to create a skilled workforce, you need to forge and strengthen
a partnership between Government and investors. OT provided an opportunity for
innovation and the creation of a long life, low cost project which offset the
short term infrastructure challenges," he said.
The Asia Mining
Congress brings together miners and investors from across the continent to
learn lessons, and discuss the latest industry an investment trends.
One
Thous. Kilometers High Road to Be Completed in Two Years
Ulaanbaatar, March
19(MONTSAME) A concession agreement has been signed to build a high way
connecting south and north dry ports of the country through the capital city.
The agreement
was inked by N.Batbayar, the Economic Development Minister, and by
S.Otgonbaatar, CEO of "Chinggis Land Development Group - New Development
Road" Co (the Concessionaire).
The
Concessionaire will develop feasibility studies and technical specifications
within nine months to them get approved by the Government. It shall have
exclusive rights to construction and ownership of one thousand km of high road
built under own financing. The concessionaire will also complete the
construction within two years and operate the facility for another thirty years
before transferring its ownership to the Government.
The
concessionaire will develop a feasibility study and blueprint of the project to
get approved by relevant ministries before concluding a financing agreement.
The agreement will come into effect after the Chinggis Land Development Group
places a first stage financing in a commercial bank of Mongolia.
The high road,
which will enable a transit transportation from Russia to China over Mongolia,
"is expected to greatly contribute to a development of logistics and
industrialization in regions it passes through, the construction project will
provide workplaces for 5,500-7,000 engineers and road workers," the
Economic Development Minister said.
Erdenet
City Will Construct Airport
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) A new airport will be erected in Erdenet city of Orkhon
province.
The Ministry of
Road and Transport together with the province governor's office are working on
its construction plan. As estimated, a total of three billion togrogs are
required to run complete modern changes in an old airport which has been out of
use since 1990.
Officials say,
two billion togrogs will be covered by the "Erdenet Mining Corporation",
the fourth largest copper mine in the world.
Health
Matters Discussed of Men
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) A discussion ran Tuesday in the Civil Hall, the State House,
on a state policy and present situation of men’ health. .
Co-hosted by
L.Erdenechimeg, G.Uyanga and R.Burmaa MPs, members of the unofficial group at
the State Great Khural (parliament), the open discussion gathered N.Udval, the
Minister of Health; experts of the Ministry; representatives of the Ministry of
Defense, WHO, UNFPA, state-run and private hospitals, National Committee of
Gender, Mongolian Union for Men, and Network of Reproductive Health NGOs.
According to
the latest survey, the worst problem related to men’ health is their lifespan:
its rate is lower by 8-9 years than that of women.
A Mongolian man
goes to a hospital much less than a woman, he is involved in accidents twice as
much as woman is, the experts said. The public view tends to consider that a
matter of a man's health is not so critical, even medical staffers do not pay a
proper attention to this, moreover, very small amount of money is spent for
man's health, they noted and considered as necessity to change the public mind
on men’ health and proposed issuing the adequate sum of money for the health of
men.
Indian
Doctors Running Checkup
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) Doctors from the Indian "Fortis" healthcare center
are running a free-of- charge checkup among people with liver problems.
This
examination is taking place at the National Central Hospital March 19-24.
The team
includes Mr Vivek Vij, a director of Liver transplant and GI surgery department
at the healthcare center. This is his third visit to our country. Dr. Vivek is
one of the pioneers of Liver transplant with experience of more than 500 liver transplants
and 100% donor safety profile. He has played a key role in establishing two
successful liver transplant programs in India.
Mongolia
to Participate in Int'l Trade Show
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) Mongolia is to participate as a key country in trade show
for riding, hunting and fishing in Erfurt, Germany on March 21-23 for the first
time.
This is a part
of planned measures running in frames of the 40th anniversary of establishment
of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Germany. Our team intends to
promote the country through a show of Mongolian horsemen and folk art
performance.
Mongolian
Embassy in Germany together with the Mongolian National Tourism Center are
preparing for the trade. Our country will be represented by tour operators,
including "Discover Mongolia Travel", "Genco", "Nuudel
Trade", "Mon Digital Tour", "Khashkhan" tourist camp,
and art delegates of "Khan Mongol" horse riding show group and
"Khokh Mongol" folk art band.
The 16th trade
show for Riding, Hunting and Fishing (Reiten-Jagen-Fischen) will serve as a
presentation platform of 21 thous. square meters for some 200 exhibitors. Some
25 thousand visitors mainly from Germany and East and West European countries
are expected to come to this action to get information on the latest trends and
innovations in main exhibit sectors of equestrian sports, studs, saddlery
products, fishing apparel and equipment, fishery, hunting, angling, arms and
ammunition, fodder, horticulture and agriculture, horse keeping and
transportation, special vehicles, archery, trade literature, gift items,
optical instruments, tourism, clubs and associations, preparation of animals,
delicatessen, gastronomy and club supplies.
Mongolia
to hold its first interior design competition
March 19
(news.mn) As the construction industry is experiencing a boom currently in
Mongolia, there is an increasing demand for skillful teams and experts for all
aspects of projects. Therefore local interior design companies and enterprises
are planning to organize an interior design competition, “Interior-2014”, for
the first time in Mongolia.
The interior
design competition will be carried out in four stages between March 15th and
May 20th. Local interior design companies are welcomed to participate by entering
a team of five creative and skillful designers for the competition to create
new and original interior design ideas.
In the first
stage of the competition, 25 of the best teams will be selected for a
television show to display their designs to the public. In following
stages, interior designers will compete for sponsorship and production
company’s commissions and the works will be displayed in a public
exhibition.
The leading
team will be awarded 10 million MNT. The key organizer for the interior design
competition is Gemlife Outsourcing LLC, with supporting organizers “ТV5”
television, Best Buidan LLC, Mongol Expo LLC and Tumen Tsamkhag LLC.
Mongol
Warriors on Horseback in Germany
March 19
(infomongolia.com) Mongolia for the first time to participate as a Guest
Country in the Horseback Riding,Hunting and Fishing International Fair to take
place in Erfurt, Germany organized byMesse Erfurt GmbH on March 21-23, 2014.
This is the
16th edition, where over 200 exhibitors from Austria, Bulgaria, Canada,Czech
Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, Netherlands, Poland,Slovakia and
Switzerland are to present their complete range of products andservices for the
hobby worlds of horseback riding, hunting and fishing offer such asriding and
driving sports equipment, stable equipment, carriages, hunting guns,hunting
accessories, hunting dog accessories, fishing rods, reels, lines,
interestinghunting and fishing trips.
In the scope of
the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the
Federal Republic of Germany andMongolia that marks in 2014, Mongolian
delegation intends to participate with its large group performing “Mongol
Warriors onHorseback” show and a troupe of folklore is also to promote
Mongolian culture and tradition.
The
preparations are provided by Mongolian Embassy in Germany in association with
Mongolian National Tourism Center andMongolian delegates will be represented by
“Discover Mongolia Travel”, “Genco”, “Nuudel Trade” and “Mon Digital”
touroperators, also “Kashkhan” tourist camp and “New Beleg” company will
introduce its services and products. The “MongolWarriors on Horseback” show
will be performed by “Khan Mongol” horse circus and “Khukh Mongol” folk art
ensemble is toparticipate in cultural events.
Book
Published for Sweden-Based Mongolian Children
Ulaanbaatar,
March 19(MONTSAME) Mongolian children living in Sweden have received
schoolbooks for mother language lessons.
The Mongolian
Embassy in Sweden, the National Association of Sweden-based Mongolians and
others rendered a valuable support in publishing of the books for some four
thousand Mongolian kids residing in this country.
Aware of the
fact that the children were born/or are growing in the foreign country with
much less opportunities to learn the indigenous language, the authors have
written this book, which includes appealing contents in the two languages.
The publishing
expenses were paid by the Ministry of Education and Sciences of Mongolia--a
significant contribution to the Mongolian language education abroad.
2014
is the China-Mongolia Friendship and Exchange Year
March 19
(news.mn) 2014 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
Mongolia and China at the same time as the 20th anniversary of the Treaty on
Friendly Relations and Cooperation between Mongolia and China. Therefore 2014
has been announced as the China-Mongolia Friendship and Exchange Year.
In support of
this opportunity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia has announced a
contest to design a logo. The selected logo will be used in the promotion of
politics, culture and humanity activities scheduled throughout the
China-Mongolia Friendship and Exchange Year.
A logo for the
promotion of the event should display concepts of bilateral friendly relations
between Mongolia and China it should be accessible for the use of promotion and
should have an aesthetic design and shape. The logo should also symbolize
bilateral relations, cooperation and friendship between the people of the two countries.
Computer
graphic and design or master degree students of the National universities and
fellows are allowed to participate in the contest.
Mongolian
Cultural event in Hong Kong
March 19
(news.mn) Mongolia`s Cultural Days, a series of events designed to promote the
rich heritage of Mongolian culture, traditional customs, the uniqueness of
nomadic culture, in order to increase the tourist number to Mongolia was
launched in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
The series of
events are being organized by the “World” Mongolian cultural association, the
Hong Kong based international “Asia Society”, “Royal Geographical Society” and
“Oddyssey publications” with official support from the Consulate General of
Mongolia in Hong Kong and Macao and sponsored by Hunnu Air.
The series of
events, Mongolia`s Cultural Days in Hong Kong will feature a Book Introduction
& Author Interview of “Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire” organized by the
“Asia Society” and the Smithsonian Institution, as well as an Author Interview
with the writer of “Mongolia: Nomad Empire of the Eternal Blue Sky”, Carl
Robinson, organized by the “Royal Geographical Society”. There will also be an
introduction to Mongolia, a seminar on khuumii and a folk concert.
During the
Mongolia`s Cultural Days event in Hong Kong, ethnic folk group Khusugtun will
perform a concert for visitors.
SUMO/
Mongolians Hakuho, Harumafuji, Kakuryu mark easy wins on Day 10
March 19 (Asahi
Shimbun) The Mongolians continued to dominate their opponents at the Spring
Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 18, with yokozuna duo Hakuho and
Harumafuji--who lead with unbeaten records--and ozeki Kakuryu all notching
convincing wins.
Meeting almost
no resistance, Harumafuji thrust out komusubi Shohozan (4-6) for his 10th win.
The yokozuna landed his thrusts potently on Shohozan's chest, raising his
center of gravity and making him unable to do anything but retreat.
Hakuho threw
sekiwake Kotooshu to the dirt, to no one's surprise. Hakuho has been almost
perfect throughout this tournament and is the defending champion, gunning for
his 29th career title. Kotooshu, meanwhile, has lost all his bouts except for
his opening-day match against rank-and-filer Kaisei.
Mongolia's
third-best wrestler, Kakuryu, was driven back at the face-off by komusubi
Toyonoshima but kept his cool, maneuvered to the side and blasted back onto the
offensive with a forward drive that sent Toyonoshima out of the ring for his
sixth loss. Kakuryu is holding his ground well, with just one loss that he
suffered on the tournament's third day, to Okinoumi.
Kotoshogiku
grimaced in pain after he was tossed to the dirt by No. 3 maegashira Takayasu
(4-6). The ozeki is fighting through injuries, and this was the first time he
has ever been beaten by Takayasu. He drops to 5-5 and will be under a lot of
pressure to clear the eight wins he needs to stay out of trouble when the next
tournament rolls around and not worry about his rank. Takayasu, on the other
hand, is trying to get into position to move up to komusubi.
Looking very
much like the formidable ozeki he is, Kisenosato gave No. 4 maegashira Ikioi no
openings and won with ease. Typical of Kisenosato, the win wasn't very
flamboyant, but it was strong and nearly flawless. He simply took a
conventional grappling approach and played it to its fullest. Kisenosato is
8-2, while Ikioi is 4-6.
Sekiwake
Goeido, a talented but often overlooked veteran, won his eighth bout
convincingly and is now looking to see if he can finish in double digits. He
won by getting a strong hold on No. 2 maegashira Okinoumi's belt and plowing
forward until it was over. Okinoumi has only two wins.
"I'm
fighting my own style," Goeido said. "I just hope to keep adding on
the wins."
On March 19, he
takes on Hakuho.
Sekiwake
Tochiozan (5-5) took down top maegashira Endo more easily than expected,
absorbing his face-off and taking control until the young wrestler's knees
buckled at the edge. The loss is the second in a row for Endo and his sixth of
the tournament. He is still adjusting to the tougher competition now that he
has to face yokozuna and ozeki opponents, and is starting to show some wear and
tear from what has been a hard 10 days.
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