Tough start for Onosato on Day 1 of Nagoya Basho

By Jim Armstrong

NAGOYA _ Grand champion Onosato was upset by newly-promoted komusubi Yoshinofuji on Sunday, the opening day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Making a comeback after missing a majority of the previous two tournaments with a left shoulder injury, Onosato was unable to thwart a powerful frontal push out by the komusubi who improved to 4-0 against the yokozuna.

“I was able to get off to a good start,” said Yoshinofuji, who committed two false starts. “I was a little nervous but finally got the timing right and went after my opponent. I just want to exert my style of sumo.”

Onosato is bidding for his sixth championship title but will need to be sharper beginning with his bout on Day 2 against top maegashira Fujinokawa.

In other major bouts on the opening day, grand champion Hoshoryu used a thigh-grabbing push down to defeat komusubi Oho 

Mongolian Hoshoryu withdrew on Day 1 of the Summer tournament due to a leg injury and will be eager to return to form in Nagoya.

Hoshoryu has yet to win a top-division tournament at sumo’s highest rank and will no doubt be feeling to the pressure to produce.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian star Aonishiki used a quick overarm throw immediately after the initial face-off to dispatch No. 3 maegashiora Hiradoumi to start his Nagoya campaign with a win.

The 22-year-old Aonishiki earned promotion to ozeki at a record pace at the New Year meet in January by winning back-to-back championships in the top-tier makuuchi division.

But he went just 7-8 in the Spring meet in March, meaning he was a relegation-threatened “kadoban” wrestler for the Summer meet. As he was unable to compete in the May tourney due to an ankle injury, he was automatically demoted to sekiwake.

If he can get double-digit wins in the 15-day basho, Aonishiki can secure immediate re-promotion to ozeki.

Ozeki Kirishima, who is bidding for possible promotion to yokozuna, overpowered Fujinokawa with a powerful right-hand attack for a frontal-push down victory.

If Kirishima captures the Emperor’s Cup he would be in a good position to earn promotion to sumo’s highest rank of grand champion.

Ozeki Kotozakura, who needs eight wins to maintain his status at sumo’s second-highest rank, thrust down top maegashira Takanosho to get off to a winning start.

Kotozakura managed just three wins in the May tournament, a result which means he is relegation-threatened in Nagoya.

Check back here for periodic coverage of the Nagoya tournament.