EMPEROR'S CUP WINNER: ASASHORYU
Outstanding Performance Award: Hakuho
Outstanding Technique Award: Wakanosato
Fighting Spirit Award: Koto-o-shu
MUSOYAMA RETIRES
Final day
It was a sell out crowd, even though Asashoryu's tourney victory was finalized the day before.
Kisenosato defeated Ama for his 9th win.
Roho gave an overarm throw on Tokitsuumi to win his 10th bout.
Takamisakari forced Kasuga-o out to finally secure a majority win.
Kotonowaka forced down Hayateumi for his 9th win.
Koto-o-shu was unable to win the last day, succumbing to Iwakiyama.
Kokkai forced out Iwakiyama but only finished the tourney with 7 wins.
Hakuho gave Kaiho thrusts and won his 12th bout.
Kotomitsuki got hold of the back of Miyabiyama's belt and forced the former ozeki down.
It's Kotomitsuki's 10th win.
Chiyotaikai held Wakanosato's throat and then gave thrusts to win.
Chiyo finished with only 7 wins.
The final bout of this tourney and of the year was the big draw.
Fans applauded together to cheer on Kaio even though he no longer had a chance to win the tourney.
And Kaio responded.
He got hold of Asashoryu, shoved and shoved to win.
The fans were so excited, they threw their cushions toward the ring.
Kaio received the prize money tagged to the bout with tears in his eyes.
His challenge to yokozuna will go on.
14th day
Hokutoriki thrust Asasekiryu out for his 8th win. The Mongolian succumbed to a majority loss.
Koto-o-shu attacked Ama and clinched his 11th win.
Roho struck Kaiho to win his 9th bout.
Takamisakari was pushed down by Takanowaka. Both are 7 to 7.
Hakuho defeated Kotonowaka with an overarm throw.
Miyabiyama drove Kotoryu out the ring to win his 9th bout.
Kaio and Wakanosato tried to get a hold of eachother's belt.
Wakanosato tried to shift his grip,and during that motion, his left foot went out the ring.
Kaio was giving the win--his 11th.
Since Wakanosato lost, Asashoryu's chance for the Emperor's Cup heightened.
The yokozuna faced Chiyotaikai, and easily won, clinching a tourney victory for the 5th time just in 2004.
13th day
Ama got hold of Hakutoriki's belt and drove him out to clinch a majority win.
Kisenosato forced Takamisakari to fall on his back, and also secured his 8th win.
Kokkai shifted slightly to the side and beat Buyuzan.
It's the Georgian's 5th win.
Koto-o-shu tried to step aside, but seeing that it wasn't affective, fought fiercely against Hakuho,
got hold of the Mongolian's belt and threw him.
Koto-o-shu clinched his 10th win.
Kotomitsuki quickly drove out Roho for his 9th win.
Wakanosato got hold of Kotonowaka and won his 11th bout.
Chiyotaikai gave thrusts. Kaio slightly moved back, but the managed to get around Chiyo.
Kaio drove his rival out.
It's Kaio's 10th win, while for Chiyo, his 7th defeat.
Asashoryu forced Miyabiyama out the ring to continue his lead.
He's followed by Wakanosato.
12th day
At the edge of the ring, Koto-o-shu managed to drive out Roho.
It's the Bulgarian's 9th win.
Takamisakari struggled against Kaiho, but not enough, and so was pushed down.
It's Kaiho's 9th win.
Kotonowaka immediately shifted to the side and thrust down Kokkai.
Kotonowaka clinched his majority win.
Kaio did not have a good start. He pulled back and dropped, to the dismay of fans.
Miyabiyama was given the bout for a push down and won his 8th bout.
Hakuho this time, faced Chiyotaikai. The ozeki gave thrusts after another, got hold of the Mongolian and
drove him out to make his record even.
Asashoryu clashed against Wakanosato.
The yokozuna used tried to trip the sekiwake.
Without stopping drove him out and reacted to the win with a pose.
Asashoryu leads the pack with his 11th win.
11th day
Takamisakari and Kotonowaka threw eachother and fell together.
The judges decided a retake.
This time Kotonowaka pushed down his popular opponent for his 7th win.
Kotomitsuki grabbed Kokkai's left arm and took him out to secure his majority win.
Wakanosato shoved forward and took out Miyabiyama. It's the sekiwake's 10th win.
Chiyotaikai aimed at Tamanoshima's throat. But his thrust was not powerful enough.
He pulled back and lost his 6th bout.
Kaio faced for the first time Roho.
Roho tried to get the ozeki off balance, and tried to thrust him down.
But Kaio managed to stay on his feet, thrust the Russian back, and succeeded.
Asashoryu was challenged by 19 year old Hakuho.
Asashoryu gave a series of thrusts. Hakuho faced it, and instead, he
found back, and drove out the yokozuna.
The younger Mongolian won.
It's Asashoryu's first loss.
10th day
Asasekiryu and Tokitenku fought a very long bout.It was stopped once after 4 minutes.
And then it was resumed from the same position.
Tokitenku, in the end managed to take Asasekiryu out.
The bout, in all, went over 6 minutes.
Kisenosato attacked the very tall Koto-o-shu. But attacking the throat was a mistake as
his arms went up too high, putting him in an awkward position.
Koto-o-shu instead put his rival down.
The Bulgarian clinched his majority win.
Takamisakari got hold of Roho and drove him out. It's his 7th win.
Wakanosato forced Kyokutenho out the ring.
Miyabiyama slightly shifted his motion and Kotonowaka totally lost his balance, succumbing to a fall.
Kaio tried to get hold of Hakuho's belt, but couldn't.
The ozeki tried to throw the Mongolian at the edge of the ring, but was forced down first.
It's Kaio's 2nd loss.
Chiyotaikai was hopeless. He was thrown by Kotomitsuki.
Asashoryu was slow to stand and fight, and he had a shaky moment, but in the end, thrust down Shimotori.
The yokozuna leads, followed by Hakuho and Wakanosato.
9th day
Roho and Kisenosato fought a competitive bout.
The win went to the Russian who, with his left hand threw the youngster out the ring.
Roho clinched a majority win.
Takanowaka stood up too quick 3 times, and was booed as he lowered himself for his 4th try.
But he won the bout against Toyozakura.
Hokutoriki was fast. He quickly attacked Takamisakari's throat and blew him out the ring.
Kokkai powerfully pushed down Kakizoe.
The Georgian won his 4th bout.
Hakuho with his left hand drove Kyokutenho out the ring and secured his majority win.
Miyabiyama pushed out Tosanoumi for his 6th win.
Wakanosato force Tamanoshima out.
The sekiwaka secured his majority win.
Chiyotaikai slapped and gave thrusts to defeat Shimotori. The ozeki picked up his 5th win.
Kaio managed to push out heavy Kotonowaka to earn a majority win.
Asashoryu gave thrusts to beat fellow Mongolian Kyoshuzan.
The yokozuna remains the sole leader followed by a pack with one loss.
8th day
Kisenosato forced Asasekiryu out of the ring for his 6th win.
Roho got his hand on the back of Buyuzan's neck and put him down. It's the Russian's 7th win.
Hayateumi slipped to Takamisakari's twisted grasp and Takamisakari won his 6th bout.
When he tried to collect his award, he dropped it, and the fans found that hilarious.
Hakuho forced Iwakiyama out of the ring. It's the 19 year old Mongolian's 7th win.
In a retaken match, Kakizoe, shoved Kotomitsuki out.
Wakanosato defeated Tochinonada with a slow throw. The sekiwake's won his 7th bout.
Kyokutenho shifted to the side as he stood up to fight. Miyabiyama was fooled and fell.
Chiyotaikai gave thrusts after another and beat Kyokushuzan.
Kotonowaka clashed into Asashoryu. But the veteran then pulled back.
The yokozuna already secured a majority win.
7th day
Ama held his head low against Tokitenku and fought that way for about 2 minutes.
Both then suddenly tried to topple eachother. Tokitenku was the one to win with an overarm throw.
The bout lasted 3 minutes 16 seconds.
Two rikishi with long side burns faced eachother for that first time in a year.
Tooki attacked first, but Takanotsuru walked Tooki out.
Hokutoriki thrusted Kisenosato. But Kisenosato resisted the attacks, got hold of Hokutoriki's belt,
and walked him out.
Koto-o-shu drove Tosanoumi out for his 5th win.
Veteran Kotonowaka got hold of Toyozakura and took him out. It's his 6th win.
Takamisakari steadily drove Tamanoshima out the ring.
Hakuho powerfully pushed down Kakizoe to win his 6th bout.
Miyabiyama pushed out Tochinonada.
Wakanosato drove out Iwakiyama to for his 6th win.
Chiyotaikai clashed into Kyokutenho, pulled back then put the Mongolian down with an overarm throw.
It's his 3rd win.
Kaio got hold of Kyokushuzan's belt with his right and shoved him out.
Asashoryu pushed down Kokkai to keep his record clean.
6th day
Kisenasoto fought like a veteran, driving out powerfully Kaiho.
It's the teenager's 4th win.
Takamisakari and Asasekiryu struggled over eachother's belt.
The bout which went over a minute was finally finished when Takamisakari shoved the Mongolian out.
Tosanoumi went forwrad but in the end, was taken out by Roho.
Takekaze banged into Koto-o-shu and slipped before being thrown.
Kotonowaka who's been so far undefeated, pulled back in his bout against Jumonji and lost his first bout.
Hakuho threw Shimotori fast, and powerfully.
Miyabiyama gave thrusts and forced Tamanoshima out.
Kokkai tried to bang into Kaio. But Kaio meticulously drove the Georgian out.
It's Kaio's 5th win.
Kotomitsuki was given a win, since Tochiazuma pulled out.
If Tochiazuma cannot return to fight this tourney, he will lose his ozeki ranking.
Chiyotaikai's another ozeki in no good shape.
He tried to charge against Iwakiyama fast, but his legs were clearly weak.
Iwakiyama thrust the ozeki down.
Asashoryu overwhelmed Kyokutenho with his shoves.
5th day
Young Mongolian Ama drove Tamakasuga out the ring for his 3rd win.
Koto-o-shu defeated Takanowaka too for his 3rd win.
Roho was forced out the ring by Hokutoriki to take his first loss.
Takamisakari forced Shimotori down in a quick bout.
Kokkai and Miyabiyama kept giving eachother thrusts.
Miyabiyama kept a close watch and pulled back to put the Georgian down.
Tochiazuma shoved Iwakiyama, but he was shoved back and lost.
Tochiazuma succumbed to his 2nd straight loss.
Chiyotaikai had a good start but couldn't continue on much longer with thrusts.
He was beaten by Tochinonada.
Kaio went forward and drove Kakizoe out to win his 4th bout.
Asashoryu at one point looked as if he lost balance, but managed to regain control to
defeat Tamanoshima.
4th day
It was announced early in the day that Musoyama decided to retire.
He said that after losing his 3rd bout, he felt he didn't have enough stamina any longer.
Musoyama will assume the name of Fujishima to coach sumo.
His opponent that day, Tamanoshima was automatically given a win.
In other bouts, Kisenosato managed to push out Tamakasuga to make his record even.
Roho thrust Jumoji out to win his 4th bout.
Takamisakari had a good hold of Buyuzan and drove him out for his 2nd win.
Kotonowaka powerfully forced Takekaze out of the ring. It's his 4th win.
Miyabiyama was dropped on the ring by Hakuho. Hakuho earned his 4th win.
Kokkai went forward,pushed and pushed against Chiyotaikai. The ozeki fell from the ring.
Both are 2-2.
Kaio immediately got hold of Tochinada's belt with his right. His left arm went around the neck and
he powerfully threw.
It's Kaio's 3rd win.
Asashoryu pulled Kotomitsuki towards himself to thrust him down.
3rd day
Takamisakari was taken to the edge of the ring, and as usual, tried to use force to overthrow his opponent
at the last moment. But Koto-o-shu threw Takamisakari by the neck to win.
Both are with 2 losses.
Roho thrust down Takekaze for his 3rd win.
Veteran Kotonowaka automatically picked up his 3rd win as his opponent Dejima pulled out of the tourney.
Miyabiyama pushed out Kyokushuzan.
Chiyotaikai gave thrusts which seemed to some degree effective.
But seeing it was of no use after a few seconds, he pulled away to put down Kakizoe.
The most closely watched wrestler this time, Kaio kept on going forward to drive out Kyokutenho.
Tochiazuma fought against Tochinonada patiently to eventually win.
Kokkai charged against Musoyama, then pulled back, and threw the ozeki.
It's Musoyama's 3rd loss.
Asashoryu got a firm hold of the back of Iwakiyama's belt and forced him down to win his 3rd bout.
2nd day
Kisenosato, this time was rolled on the ring by Kasugao.
Ama won his first bout, forcing out Takanowaka.
Takamisakari was kept from using his right arm, but he waited patiently for the right moment.
He got right behind Kotoryu and drove his opponent out.
Hakuho threw Kotomitsuki with his left to win.
Wakanosato picked Dejima up and forced the former ozeki down.
Kaio this time had a good start.
He powerfully drove Iwakiyama out the ring.
Tochiazuma gave Kokkai a throw. Both fell, and the refree gave the bout to Kokkai.
But the judges ruled the opposite as Kokkai touched the dirt first.
Musoyama was driven out by Tochinonada.
Chiyotaikai tried his thrusts on Miyabiyama. But the former ozeki stopped Chiyo and instead put him down.
Asashoryu went straight towards Kakizoe and pushed him out.
1st day
Kisenosato fought his very first bout in the makuuchi divisiion.
He did well, forcing out veteran, Tooki.
Ama made his makuuchi debut too. He's the 7th Mongolian to do so.
He, however lost to Korean, Kasugao.
Takamisakari received big cheers as always. He fought hard against Toyozakura, but fell on his knee first.
Iwakiyama beat Miyabiyama with his forehead bleeding.
Tochiazuma has to clinch a majority win this tourney to keep his ozeki status.
In his bout, he pulled back, but then fought back to defeat Kakizoe.
Musoyama too is in a difficult position as ozeki.
He was powerless, succumbing to Hakuho's thrusts and shoves.
Chiyotaikai put Dejima down to win.
Kaio attracted a wild applause while he was on the ring.
But when the bout ended, there was silence.
He pulled back in the bout against Kotomitsuki and powerlessly lost.
Asashoryu attacked Tochinonada's throat to overwhelm.
Pre Tourney highlights
Kaio to try for yokozuna
All eyes are on ozeki Kaio.
It's not only because the tourney is held in Kyushu, the island where he's from.
If he performs well at this tournament, he could be promoted to yokozuna.
Hagiwara is Kisenosato
Young, up and coming Hagiwara, at only 18 years and 3 months have been promoted to
the makuuchi division.
He's the 2nd youngest to make the top division--that's after the former Takahanada.