2005 MAY GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT
(May 8 to 22 Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena)

Post Tourney News
Takanohana
One of the most popular ozeki ever, Takanohana passed away on May 30. He was 55. He was suffering from cancer in his mouth. Jan 30 was the last time he appeared in public. It was for Takanonami's retirement ceremony. During his heydays as a sumo wrestler Takanohana was well-loved. His rivals were Kitanoumi and Wajima who both became Yokozuna. He later became the father of 2 yokozuna, one took on his name to become one of the greatest. And the elder was named Wakanohana after his uncle..

EMPEROR'S CUP WINNER: ASASHORYU
Outstanding Performance Award:
None
Outstanding Technique Award: Kotomitsuki
Fighting Spirit Award: Kyokushuzan, Futen-o

Final day
Kyokushuzan put new makuchi comer Katayama down for his 12th win. Kotonowaka secured a majority win by forcing Kyokutenho out. Dejima pushed out Toki to win his 9th bout. Toki finished with 9 losses. Kokkai attacked Takamisakari's face and then threw his down. Both finished with 5 wins 10 losses. Roho gave Toyozakura thrusts and the pulled back, forcing his opponent down. Roho won his 7th bout. Miyabiyama was forced to the edge of the ring, but turned his body and forced Tamanoshima to go down. Miyabiyama secured a majority win on the final day. Kotomitsuki banged into Wakanosato and quickly won with a push out. It's Kotomitsuki's 13th win. Koto-o-shu got hold of Tosanoumi and pushed him out. The Bulgarian won his 10th bout. Chiyotaikai slightly lost balance, and Hakuho took advantage of that to push the ozeki out. Asashoryu's powerful thrusts kept Tochiazuma from doing anything. The yokozuna clinched the Emperor's Cup for the 4th time with a perfect record.

14th day
Kotonowaka drove Shimotori out for his 7th win which the audience applauded with joy. Takamisakari at least won, by forcing Takanowaka out. It's his 5th win. Dejima pushed out Aminishiki to clinch a majority win. Koto-o-shu had a grip of just one layer of Futen-o's belt and tried to force a throw. But he was intead put down by Futen-o. Kyokushuzan lost to Kakizoe succumbing to a 3rd loss. Miyabiyama put Kokkai down. Roho pulled back as usual, but wen forward to beat Hokutoriki. Kotomitsuki picked Ama up and took the Mongolian out. Tochiazuma was able to bear thrusts by Hakuho to eventually put the Mongolian down. Chiyotaikai gave Asashoryu thrusts which were not very effective. The ozeki was pushed out. With this win Asashoryu's 12th Emperor's Cup victory was secured. He ties with the record for a foreign wrestler, held by Hawaiian born Musashimaru.

13th day
Kyokushuzan tried to keep Tamakasuga away from him with arms stretched a couple of times. Then he tucked Tamakasuga close to him and drove him out for his 11th win. Kotonowaka managed to drive Takekaze out. It's the veteran's 6th win. Takamisakari turned his back towards Toyonoshima and was take out. Mr Popular has lost his 9th bout. Dejima moved forward and drove Kisenosato out. Kyokutenho shoved Kokkai out the ring. Miyabiyama gave thrusts and defeated Roho. The Russia succumbed to a majority loss. Koto-o-shu and Wakanosato twirled together around the edge of the ring and fell. The bout was given to the Bulgarian. Kotomitsuki pushed Hokutoriki out for his 11th win. Tochiazuma pushed out opposing ozeki Chiyotaikai. Asashoryu's shove was so powerful, Hakuho flew out the ring and both into the audience.

12th day
Ama thrusted Tamakasuga at the edge of the ring and secured a majority win. Takamisakari and Kaiho had a competitive fight. In the end Takamisakari shoved his opponent down. Kokkai pulled away to try and put down Tamanoshima, but instead lost and succumbed to a majority loss. Kotomitsuki and Kyokushuzan had a close bout, but it was ruled that the Mongolian's hand touched the dirt first. Hakuho moved aside right after face off, and Dejima fell. Hakuho managed to win his 8th bout. Tochiazuma pushed Kakizoe out to mark his 10th win. Koto-o-shu with his left, threw Chiyotaikai and won his 8th bout. Asashoryu hurled Tosanoumi on the ring.

11th day
Kyokushuzan and Hokutoriki gave a mean look at eachother while performing a prelude to the actual bout. They could not face off promptly, having to redo the start 4 times. But the bout was a quick win for the Mongolian. Dejima pushed out Kotonowaka for his 6th win. Miyabiyama got a good hold of Takamisakari's belt with his left, and forced the popular guy out. Roho drove Kokkai out of the ring. Both are 4-7. Kotomitsuki gave an underarm throw to defeat Tochinonada and win his 9th bout. Chiyotaikai put Tosanoumi down to earn his 10th win. Iwakiyama gave Tochiazuma thrusts. But the ozeki fought back to win with a push out. Asashoryu banged into Koto-o-shu. With that the Bulgarian lost balance and walked out.

10th day
Kyokushuzan pushed out Takekaze for his 9th win. Takamisakari was taken out by Kotoshogiku. Dejima pushed forward, but at the edge, Koto-o-shu turned away. Dejima's foot left first. Miyabiyama pushed out Tochinonada. Tochinonada succumbed to a majority loss. Roho tried to force a throw from a bad position, and was insteady put down by Kotomitsuki who earned his 8th win. Kokkai gave thrusts and drove Wakanosato out. Tochiazuma leaped to the side to thrust Tosanoumi down. The ozeki secured a majority win. Chiyotaikai gave quick thrusts and a final blow triggered Kaiho to go flying off the ring. Asashoryu picked up heavy Iwakiyama, and then pushed him out for his 10th win.

9th day
Kyokushuzan secured a majority win by forcing Tokitenku out the ring. Again at the edge of the ring, Ama forced a throw and defeated Buyuzan. It's the Mongolian's 6th win. Kotonowaka and Aminishiki tried to throw eachother. The refree first gave the bout to Aminishiki. But the judges ruled that Aminishiki's top knot touched the dirt before Kotonowaka fell on his face. The audience applauded in delight. Koto-o-shu threw Jumonji with his left to win his 6th bout. Kyokutenho drove Dejima out the ring. Tochinonada took out Takamisakari for his 2nd win. Kokkai put Kakizoe down for his 3rd win. Roho drove Wakanosato out for his 3rd win too. Chiyotaikai pulled away and forced Iwakiyama down. By securing a majority win, Chiyo can keep his ozeki ranking. Miyabiyama continously slapped and thrusted Tochiazuma. The ozeki tried to keep calm, and in the end managed to take the formed ozeki out. Asashoryu threw Kaiho, who rolled on the dirt. The yokozuna leads with a perfect record.

8th day
Futen-o charged at Ama, but Ama shifted and down went Futen-o. Both are 5-3. Kotonowaka drove Takamisakari out to celebrate his 37th birthday. Kyokushuzan pulled back trying to shove Dejima down, and in the end, he was able to keep his foot in the ring while Dejima fell. It's Kyokushuzan's 6th win. Koto-o-shu threw Tochinonada to win his 5th bout. Kotomitsuki shoved Kokkai out of the ring for his 6th win. Hakuho watched Roho carefully, and won with a push out. Tochiazuma prompted Kyokutenho to get down on his hand. Chiyotaikai banged into Miyabiyama and quickly shifted position to put the former ozeki down. Asashoryu drove Wakanosato out of the ring to secure a majority win. The yokozuna touched his shoulder painfully.

7th day
Buyuzan went around Tamakasuga and put him down. It's Tamakasuga's first loss. Dejima couldn't move forward. He was stuck in a inactive bout which put him at a disadvantage, and Dejima was taken out by Futen-o. Koto-o-shu got a hold of Takamisakari's front part of the belt, and then dropped him. Kotomitsuki drove Miyabiyama out. Tosanoumi banged into Roho and took the Russian quickly out. Hakuho with his left threw Kokkai. It's the Mongolian's 3rd win. Chiyotaikai gave Wakanosato blows and pulled back to put Wakanosato down. Tochiazuma struggled against Tochinonada, but managed to push him out for his 5th win. Asashoryu got hold of Tamanoshima's arm and drove him out. Asashoryu's now the sole leader.

6th day
Kaio pulled out since pain around his back and hip was so bad, he couldn't even left his leg. So Kokkai who did not have to face him automatically earned a win. As for the highlights of the day. Asasekiryu suddenly went under Koto-o-shu, and appeared to try to get the Bulgarian's long legs. But he failed. From there though he went for Koto-o-shu's belt and hooked his leg to trip the tall guy down. Both are 3-3. Dejima followed Kaiho regardless of which direction he moved and managed to drive him out. It's the former ozeki's 5th win. Iwakiyama charged into Takamisakari who at the edge of the ring shifted away. Iwakiyama fell down. Hokutoriki quickly put Miyabiyama down for his 4th win. Kakizoe powerfully pushed out Roho. Kotomitsuki immediately smashed Tochiazuma on the ring. Chiyotaikai gave Tochinonada a series of thrusts and pushed his opponent out the ring. Asashoryu's power got Kyokutenho blown out of the ring.

5th day
Takamisakari celebrated his 29th birthday by pushing down Ama. Koto-o-shu put down Hokutoriki for this 3rd win. Dejima pushed out Iwakiyama. Miyabiyama drove out Kaiho. Hakuho tried to resist Kotomitsuki's push by hooking his leg around but was shoved down. Kaio squashed Tochinonada down on the ring. But he looked like he was in pain after the bout. Chiyotaikai gave thrusts but in the end the thrust out. Kokkai pulled away, which Tochiazuma took advantage of and shoved. Kokkai fell on his back. Asashoryu pushed down Roho.

4th day
Dejima struggled but managed to force down Takamisakari for his 3rd win. Koto-o-shu got a firm hold of Kaiho and drove the little one out. Miyabiyama put Hakuho on the dirt. Chiyotaikai pushed Roho out to win his 4th bout. Tochiazuma fought a fast bout and defeated Tamanoshima. Kaio grabbed Wakanosato's arm then shoved him out the ring. It was a swift 4th win. Asashoryu had a hold of Kokkai's one layer of belt while Kokkai had a better grip of the yokozuna's. But the yokozuna swung the Georgian down on the ring.

3rd day
Kisenosato won his first bout pushing out Kotonowaka. Kyokushuzan appeared to stand too soon, and realizing this, may have affect him. He fell easily on the dirt, and Takamisakari won his first bout. Dejima managed to push out Asasekiryu out the ring while he himself fell too. Roho got hold of Koto-o-shu's belt, picked the Bulgarian up and forced him out the ring. Kokkai pulled back and threw Tosanoumi out the ring. Iwakiyama's thrust forced Hakuho out. Tochiazuma kept his head low and pushed out Kaiho. Kaio with his right hand held Kyokutenzan's belt and forced a throw. Chiyotaikai was slow to give thrusts, but he forced blows and then pulled back, which got Kotomitsuki on the dirt. Asashoryu with his right got hold of Miyabiyama's belt, and his left hand attacked the former ozeki's head. The yokozuna powerfully gave a throw and won.

2nd day
Kyokushuzan beat Kotonowaka in a minute long bout. Ama got hold of Asasekiryu and drove him out. Dejima went straight towards Jumonji and forced him out. Hokutoriki pushed Takamisakari down. Koto-o-shu, immediately got hold of Kokkai's belt and forced the Georgian out. Roho put Tamanoshima down. Hakuho gave thrusts, and slightly lost balance, but was able to put Kaiho down. Kaio shoved Miyabiyama, who turned his back towards the ozeki and was driven out. Chiyotaikai got his hand around Kyokutenho's neck and then put the Mongolian down. Tochiazuma tried to shove, but Wakanosato kept his right foot inside the ring to win. Asashoryu threw Tochinonada to win.

1st day
Aminishiki with his right threw Kisenosato. Ama and Kyokushuzan grabbed eachother in low positions. In the end, Kyokushuzan drove the younger Mongolian out. Asasekiryu swiftly pushed Kotonowaka out. Takamisakari stood up to fight too early, twice. In the third try, the match was officially on, and he was quickly pushed out by Jumonji. Hokutoriki drove Dejima out the ring. Koto-o-shu pulled back, and his left foot left the ring. Kakizoe won the bout. Wakanosato had a firm win against Kyokutenho. Miyabiyama pulled away to put Tosanoumi down. Hakuho put Tochinonada down on the ring. Chiyotaikai shifted his position slightly and Kokkai lost balance. Chiyo pushed him out and he himself flew off the ring. But won the bout. Tochiazuma pushed Roho out. Kaio's one thrust prompted Tamanoshima to turn his back towards the ozeki. Kaio pushed his back to win. Kotomitsuki fell on his knee and lost to Asashoryu.

Pre Tourney highlights
Chiyotaikai ties with "kadoban" record
Chiyotaikai ties with Konishiki's record of 7. An ozeki is listed as "kadoban" after a majority loss in the previous tourney. He must gain a majority win to retain his ozeki ranking this tourney.

Nearly 9000 turnout to watch practice
On Apr 29, for the 2nd year in a row, a general practice took at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. The arena was almost packed.


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