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FUKUOKA, JAPAN – After nine days in November’s grand sumo basho, Takakeisho remains in sole possession of the lead, climbing to a record of 8-1.
In Monday’s victory, Takakeisho took down ozeki Toshinoshin with a powerful tachi-ai, quickly moving the January tournament winner out of the dohyo with an oshitaoshi.
With the win, Takakeisho clinched his fourth straight kachi-koshi, remaining just ahead four other rikishi now at 7-2.
On the other side of the tournament’s standings, the Mongolian-born Arawashi clinched a make-koshi, almost certainly securing demotion out of the Makuuchi level of sumo. Arawashi began the year near the top of the maegashira ranks, but fell out of Makuuchi after three straight make-koshi, returning to sumo’s highest level with an 8-7 record in September’s tournament.