Society

Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho, Asanoyama, Shodai victorious on Day 1

Nov 09 (Kyodo) - Ozeki wrestlers Takakeisho, Asanoyama and Shodai made winning starts Sunday at the November Grand Sumo Tournament.

With Mongolian-born grand champions Hakuho and Kakuryu out through injury, the ozeki trio came under the spotlight on the opening day at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

All three are bidding for their second Emperor's Cup at the 15-day meet, which has been moved from its normal home in Fukuoka to limit travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

Shodai, who earned promotion to sumo's second-highest rank by winning September's championship, survived a close call against No. 1 maegashira Wakatakakage.

The 25-year-old Wakatakakage surprised Shodai at the opening charge, getting a double inside grip and driving him to the edge of the ring.

But the new ozeki managed to pull Wakatakakage to the ground as he fell backwards. After conferring in the middle, the judges ruled the maegashira landed outside the straw bales first.

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