2009 AUTUMN GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT
(September 13 to 27 Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena)

EMPEROR'S CUP WINNER: ASASHORYU
Outstanding Performance Award:
None
Outstanding Technique Award: Kakuryu
Fighting Spirit Award: Baruto

Final day
Miyabiyama and Kyokutenho, both who are way based their 30 fought hard. They both fell, but Kyokutenho slightly later and won the bout. It's his 5th win. For Miyabiyama it's his 11th loss. Kakuryu kept one foot inside the ring while thrusting Aminishiki out. He finished with 11 wins. Baruto shoved Kisenosato's hand and pulled his belt, and threw him to win his 12th bout. Kisenosato finished with 8 losses. Kaio managed to get hold of Kotomitsuke's belt with his right and win with an overarm throw to secure a majority win. Koto-o-shu and Harumafuji held eachother's belt. The Bulgarian, with his left managed to throw the Mongolian. Both finished 9-6. Hakuho banged powerfully into Asashoryu. It was with so much force, Asashoryu could not stop from being blown away, prompting his foot to leave the ring. It's Asashoryu's 1st loss. Since the two tied for the Emperor's Cup, they fought again. This time, Asashoryu grabbed Hakuho's belt with his left, and immediately try to shove him. But Hakuho withstood. Asashoryu tried to shoves. Hakuho did not fall. But finally, Asashoryu won with a throw which forced Hakuho to topple on the ring. Asashoryu celebrated his 29th birthday with his 24th Emperor's Cup victory. He ties with Kitanoumi for 3rd place with the number of tourney victories.

14th day
Masatsukasa charged into Takamisakari, and the Robocop lost his 8th bout. Kakuryu hooked his leg around Baruto and forced the Estonian to fall. It's Kakuryu's 10th win. Miyabiyama's thrust was not powerful enough. Kisenosato instead shoved forward and won with a push out. Kaio pulled back and try to force a throw on Harumafuji but before he could, he sunk on the ring. Hakuho gave a powerful throw to defeat Koto-o-shu. Asashoryu threw Kotomitsuki with his right to keep the lead for the Emperor's Cup.

13th day
Baruto shoved Tokitenku's throat then thrust the Mongolian down on his hands. It's Baruto's 11th win. Kakuryu charged quickly against Kaio and drove the ozeki out for his 9th win. It's Kaio's 6th loss. Toyonoshima turned his back towards Harumafuji, then turned around, but too late to regain control. Toyonoshima was shoved down. Harumafuji secured a majority win. Asashoryu drove down Koto-o-shu for another win. Hakuho and Kotomitsuki turned together then the yokozuna got hold of the ozeki's belt with his right and gave an underarm throw.

12th day
Miyabiyama forced down Tamanoshima for his 3rd win. Kisenosato lost to Tochinoshin first in a bout in which both fell. Koto-o-shu went running out the ring in the bout against Tokitenku succumbing to his 4th loss. Baruto threw Kotomitsuki for his 10th win. Hakuho shoved Harumafuji's head and forced him to tumble on the ring. Asashoryu managed to walk Kaio out the ring.

11th day
Kakuryu got hold of Kisenosato and drove him out. Kakuryu secured a majority win. Chiyotaikai decided to withdraw from the tourney. He was slated to fight Kotomitsuki who was automatically given a win. Baruto got his hand around Koto-o-shu's head and pulled the Bulgarian towards him then forced him down. Baruto won his 9th bout while Koto-o-shu lost his 3rd. Harumafuji and Asashoryu got hold of eachother's belt and took awhile for any decisive move until the yokozuna powerfully threw the Mongolian ozeki to win another bout. Hakuho struggled against Kaio but in the end drove the popular ozeki out.

10th day
Tokitenku drove Takamisakari out quickly. Both are 5-5. Kotoshogiku pushed out Miyabiyama. The former ozeki succumbed to a majority loss. Kotomitsuki pressed forward, but Harumafuji fought back low and forced Kotomitsuki out. It's Kotomitsuki's 2nd loss. Kaio got hold of Koto-o-shu's arm and froced the Bulgarian out. Its Kaio's career 965th win. He won more than Oshio to win the 2nd most number of wins in modern sumo history. Chiyotaikai weakly lost to Tamanoshima and succumbed to a majority loss. After the loss Chiyo's reportedly said he will make somekind of a decision. Kakuryu appeared to be in control but Hakuho kept his arm on Kakuryu's and shoved that arm to win. Asashoryu powerfully drove out Kisenosato to remain the only one with a perfect record.

9th day
Harumafuji's thrust forced Kyokutenho out. Kotomitsuki shoved, pulled back and with a powerful blow forced Kakuryu to fall. It's Kotomitsuki's 8th win. Koto-o-shu moved around and drove out Aminishiki. It's the Bulgarian's 8th win. Kaio tried to force a shove, during which he lost balance. But upon regaining control, Kaio drove down Miyabiyama. It's Kaio's 6th win. Asashoryu got hold of Chiyotaikai and drove the ozeki out. Hakuho threw Kisenosato for his 8th win.

8th day
Kotomitsuki attempted a throw on Kisenosato but his left foot went out of the ring before he could. It's the ozeki's first loss. Koto-o-shu and Toyonoshima both threw eachother. Toyonoshima was seen as falling first, so the Bulgarian won his 8th bout. Kaio got a good hold of Chiyotaikai's belt and shoved him out. It's Kaio's 5th win, while for Chiyo his 6th loss. Harumafuji kept low and quickly drove out Shotenro. Hakuho kept on shoving Tamanoshima's head and managed to push from behind to win. Asashoryu grabbed below Kotoshogiku's belt and threw him to secure a majority win.

7th day
Kakuryu shoved Koto-o-shu's head then took the Bulgarian's arm and threw him. It's Koto-o-shu's first loss. Chiyotaikai attacked Miyabiyama's throat. But Miyabiyama drove the ozeki down. It's Chiyo's 5h loss already. Kaio took ahile to get himself in a good position. But once he did, he quickly drove out Tochinoshin. Harumafuji with his right threw Kisenosato. It's the Mongolian's 4th win. Kotomitsuki's strong charge forced Toyonoshima to fall on his knees. Asashoryu gave Tamanoshima thrusts, then got behind him and forced him out to keep his record clean. Hakuho gave a powerful throw to defeat Kotoshogiku.

6th day
Takamisakari pushed out Toyonoshima for his 4th win. Tochinoshin got hold of Chiyotaikai's belt. He lifted the ozeki and forced him out the ring. Kaio tried to shove Kisenosato's head down but couldn't and was instead pushed out. Harumafuji fought his bout against Kakuryu low and managed to win. It's Kakuryu's first defeat. Kotomitsuki forced Kyokutenho out for his 6th win. Koto-o-shu also won by driving out Tamanoshima. Shotenro pushed against Hakuho, then shoved awa and drove the yokozuna down. What a first win for Shotenro. Asashoryu struggled but managed to stay in the ring and drive down Aminishiki.

5th day
Kaio pulled back and appeared to be in danger of losing. But he moved around Tamanoshima and drove his opponent down. Harumafuji struggled against Tochinoshin who had a good grasp of the ozeki's belt. In the end, Toshinoshin pinned Harumafuji on the verge of the ring and pushed the ozeki down. It's the Georgian's first win against an ozeki. Kotomitsuki easily drove down Shotenro for his 5th win. Miyabiyama gave thrusts. Koto-o-shu stepped aside and prompted him to fall. Chiyotaikai dashed forward and went too fast, lost control and went out the ring while Aminishiki kept one foot in and the other one up. Asashoryu took out Kyokutenho and gave his fellow Mongolian a final blow to win. Hakuho fought a long sumo against Baruto, unlike previous days where he finished each bout with speed. The yokozuna struggled, but managed to win.

4th day
Kisenosato shoved down Aminishiki's head and won his 3rd bout. Tamanoshima pushed and Harumafuji tried to keep his feet on the ring while resisting the shove. But his heel was ruled as having left before Tamonoshima's foot. With this the Mongolian ozeki took his 2nd loss. Kotomitsuki immediately drove down Miyabiyama. Koto-o-shu got hold of Tochinoshin's belt and shoved the Georgian out. Chiyotaikai gave Kotoshogiku thrust then pulled back, prompting Kotoshigiku to fall. Baruto drove Kaio out the ring. Hakuho quicky took Kyokutenho out. Asashoryu lifted Shotenro and put him down outside the ring.

3rd day
Kotomitsuki drove out Tamanoshima for his 3rd win. Koto-o-shu also won another bout, defeating Shotenro, by grabbing his belt with both his hands. Baruto and Chiyotaikai banged into eachother. Baruto easily forced out the ozeki. Kaio gave Aminishiki a thrust then pulled back, forcing Aminishiki on the dirt. Harumafuji appeared to have lost control of the bout against Kotoshogiku. But Kotoshogiku's leg turned in a funny way and fell. Asashoryu slapped Miyabiyama, and prompted the former ozeki to lose balance and fall. Hakuho got a good hold of Tochinoshin and shoved him out.

2nd day
Takamisakari drove out Shimotori for his first win. Kisenosato managed to force Tamanoshima out for his first win. Koto-o-shu beat Kyokutenho. Chiyotaikai banged into Shotenro and then pulled away to force the Mongolian down. Kotoshogiku with his belt tied tightly, didn't allow Kaio to grab his belt and drove the ozeki out. Baruto powerfully forced Harumafuji out. Kotomitsuki got behind Aminishiki and shoved him out. Hakuho pushed and Miyabiyama rolled down. Asashoryu attacked Tochinoshin's throat and forced the Georgian out.

1st day
The sumo arena drew a full house. Iwakiyama drove out Takamisakari. Chiyotaikai attacked Kyokutenho's throat. But it had not effect. Chiyo was instead pushed out. Mongolian Shotenro challenged an ozeki for the first time. It's Kaio. But Kaio immediately got hold of Shotenro's belt with his right. And naturally, with the position, Kaio drove the young Mongolian out. Harumafuji slapped Miyabiyama and pushed the former ozeki out. Kotomitsuki with his left threw Tochinoshin on the ring. Koto-o-shu went straight towards Kisenosato and drove him down. Asashoryu lifted the heavy Baruto twice and then shoved the Estonian out. Hakuho drove Aminishiki out.

Pre Tourney highlights
Random drug testing conducted
On Sept 7, the sumo association tested the urine of 96 rikishi. It's the 6th time such action was taken following positive testing by Russians who were forced to leave the sumo world.

Twins apply to join sumo
22 year old Jun Saito and Rei Saito attended the check up for newcomers on Sept 3. They played American football in the U.S. They are tall, 1.90 meters and strongly built with an exotic look being half America, half Japanese.


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