NAGOYA - Three days into the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, the early picture is beginning to emerge. Here is a look back at the highlights shaping the competition so far.
Day 1: Returning yokozuna Onosato loses on Nagoya meet opening day
Sunday, July 12 - Onosato fell to a worrying opening day defeat while his fellow returning grand champion, Hoshoryu, triumphed as the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament began on Sunday.
After missing the majority of the last two tournaments with left shoulder pain, Onosato bettered new komusubi Yoshinofuji in the opening clash but quickly resorted to an ill-fated pull-down attempt and was easily pushed out at a stunned IG Arena in Nagoya.
Seeking an ozeki return, Aonishiki prevailed in a matter of seconds against Hiradoumi as the Ukrainian star sidestepped slightly to his left immediately after the opening clash before flooring the No. 3 maegashira with a left overarm throw.
Day 2: Yokozuna Onosato slumps to 0-2 with upset loss to Fujinokawa
Monday, July 13 - Grand champion Onosato suffered his second straight defeat to start the tournament on Monday, losing to tricky No. 1 maegashira Fujinokawa by thrust down.
Coming off an upset loss to komusubi Yoshinofuji, five-time Emperor's Cup winner Onosato dropped to 0-2 courtesy of the fast-moving Fujinokawa (1-1), winner of their previous meeting in March, who withstood the injury-affected yokozuna's strong initial charge before executing the devastating reversal.
"I wasn't thinking too much about his opening attack, but I was able to hit the yokozuna hard," said Fujinokawa, who is gunning for his first promotion to the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna.
Day 3: Onosato pushes out Takanosho for 1st win following horror 0-2 start
Tuesday, July 14 - Onosato notched his first win of the tournament following a nightmare 0-2 start, pushing out No. 1 maegashira Takanosho on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old grand champion finally got on the board for his first win since Day 14 of this year's January meet, driving Takanosho (0-3) out with a series of strong shoves after holding his ground against the former sekiwake's initial charge.
Hoshoryu (2-1), meanwhile, became No. 1 maegashira Fujinokawa's latest yokozuna victim on Day 3, a day after the rising star upset Onosato.
Sekiwake Aonishiki (3-0) forced out No. 3 maegashira Hakunofuji (2-1) to move another win closer to the 10 he needs for automatic re-promotion to ozeki.
