Ozeki Hoshoryu tossed aside compatriot Oshoma on Sunday, November 17 to remain tied for the lead with three others at the midway point of the Kyushu Basho. In the day’s final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Hoshoryu used a textbook overarm throw to send Oshoma toppling to win the all-Mongolia showdown. At 7-1, Hoshoryu is tied with fellow ozeki Kotozakura and rank-and-filers Takanosho and Onokatsu.

In other major bouts, new ozeki Onosato took care of business in a matter of seconds when he came bursting out of the face-off and delivered several powerful thrusts to send Tobizaru flying into the first row of seats. Onosato improved to 6-2 while fifth-ranked maegashira Tobizaru saw his record drop to 5-3. The 24-year-old Onosato is bidding to become the first wrestler to win a championship in his ozeki debut since 2006 when Hakuho did it.

Sekiwake Kirishima B.Lhagvasuren, who aims to regain his ozeki title, continued his bad fight and reached the ninth day. He was defeated by Sekiwake Daeisho on the eighth day, his sixth defeat of the basho. Thus, he has two wins and six losses.