Kotomitsuki perfect at 8-0

Kotomitsuki perfect at 8-0

TOKYO, Japan - Sekiwake Kotomitsuki (R) pulls out a hard-fought win over Chiyotenzan to remain unbeaten along with ozeki Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai on the eighth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 20.

Ozeki Kaio still unbeaten at spring sumo

Ozeki Kaio still unbeaten at spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Ozeki Kaio bundles second-ranked maegashira Chiyotenzan out of the ring from behind at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on March 18 to preserve his 8-0 record and stay in pole position with seven days left at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kaio leads field at spring sumo

Kaio leads field at spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Ozeki Kaio storms to a perfect 4-0 record at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 14 by sending sekiwake Tochinonada sprawling back across the ring with a right-handed throw. No. 2 maegashira Chiyotenzan, eighth-ranked Tosanoumi and veteran Terao also remained unbeaten to finish the day in a tie for the lead with Kaio.

Yokozuna Musashimaru tumbles to first defeat at Kyushu sumo

Yokozuna Musashimaru tumbles to first defeat at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Third-ranked maegashira Chiyotenzan (4-3)(R) sends yokozuna Musashimaru (6-1) tumbling to the dirt with an overarm throw, handing the defending champion his first loss of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 11. The 15-day tourney runs through Nov 19.

Musashimaru retains lead in autumn sumo

Musashimaru retains lead in autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Musashimaru (R) battles back from the brink of a second straight upset loss on Sept. 23 to maintain his lead after the 12th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. Musashimaru allowed Chiyotenzan a firm belt grip and was shoved to the ring's edge seconds after the face-off, but held his cool to survive several more scares before finally forcing the six-ranked maegashira to step out of the ring at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Miyabiyama keeps lead autumn sumo

Miyabiyama keeps lead autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Former collegiate star Miyabiyama (L) bounces Chiyotenzan out of the ring on Sept. 18 to remain the lone undefeated leader in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, with senior stablemate Musashimaru and Akinoshima one step behind. Miyabiyama, a No. 5 maegashira from the Musashigawa stable, had Chiyotenzan (3-4) retreating at the outset of their bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan and shoved him over the edge of the ring to run his winning streak in the 15-day tourney to seven.

Musashimaru maintains share of lead

Musashimaru maintains share of lead

Ozeki Musashimaru uses his massive 222-kilogram frame effectively at the edge to belly ninth-ranked maegashira Chiyotenzan out of the ring on the 12th day March 25 of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Musashimaru now shares the lead with his fellow ozeki Takanonami with 10-2 records.

Kotomitsuki perfect at 8-0

Kotomitsuki perfect at 8-0

TOKYO, Japan - Sekiwake Kotomitsuki (R) pulls out a hard-fought win over Chiyotenzan to remain unbeaten along with ozeki Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai on the eighth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 20.

Musashimaru retains lead in autumn sumo

Musashimaru retains lead in autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Musashimaru (R) battles back from the brink of a second straight upset loss on Sept. 23 to maintain his lead after the 12th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. Musashimaru allowed Chiyotenzan a firm belt grip and was shoved to the ring's edge seconds after the face-off, but held his cool to survive several more scares before finally forcing the six-ranked maegashira to step out of the ring at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Ozeki Kaio still unbeaten at spring sumo

Ozeki Kaio still unbeaten at spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Ozeki Kaio bundles second-ranked maegashira Chiyotenzan out of the ring from behind at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on March 18 to preserve his 8-0 record and stay in pole position with seven days left at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kaio leads field at spring sumo

Kaio leads field at spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Ozeki Kaio storms to a perfect 4-0 record at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on March 14 by sending sekiwake Tochinonada sprawling back across the ring with a right-handed throw. No. 2 maegashira Chiyotenzan, eighth-ranked Tosanoumi and veteran Terao also remained unbeaten to finish the day in a tie for the lead with Kaio.

Miyabiyama keeps lead autumn sumo

Miyabiyama keeps lead autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Former collegiate star Miyabiyama (L) bounces Chiyotenzan out of the ring on Sept. 18 to remain the lone undefeated leader in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, with senior stablemate Musashimaru and Akinoshima one step behind. Miyabiyama, a No. 5 maegashira from the Musashigawa stable, had Chiyotenzan (3-4) retreating at the outset of their bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan and shoved him over the edge of the ring to run his winning streak in the 15-day tourney to seven.

Musashimaru maintains share of lead

Musashimaru maintains share of lead

Ozeki Musashimaru uses his massive 222-kilogram frame effectively at the edge to belly ninth-ranked maegashira Chiyotenzan out of the ring on the 12th day March 25 of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Musashimaru now shares the lead with his fellow ozeki Takanonami with 10-2 records. ==Kyodo