2008 NAGOYA GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT
(July 13 to 27 Aichi Prefectural Gymanasium)

EMPEROR'S CUP WINNER: HAKUHO
Outstanding Performance Award:
Toyonoshima
Outstanding Technique Award: Ama
Fighting Spirit Award: Toyohibiki

Wakanoho is arrested and dismissed
On Aug 18, a shockwave throughout Japan. It was learned that Wakanoho was questioned by police for his possession of marijuana. What happened was, he lost his wallet. A lady found it and reported to the police. But there was a fowl smell emitted from it. Police found a small pack of white powder. The 20 year old Russian admitted that he got it in Roppongi and smoked pot in his stable. He was arrested. On Aug 21, the board member of the Japan Sumo Association decided to dismiss him. It's the first time ever that a incumbent sumo wrestler is dismissed from the sumo world.

Final day
Iwakiyama threw Kakizoe to earn a majority win while Kakizoe took his majority loss. Dejima pushed out Chiyohakuho to finish with 6 wins. New makuuchi rikishi Masatsukasa hooked his leg around Takamisakari and drove him down for his 10th win. Toyohibiki was forced down by Roho but finished with 10 wins. Roho finished with 9. Miyabiyama pushed and he himself fell by beating Asasekiryu for his 9th win. Baruto pushed Ama out. Both finished with 10-5. Toyonishima drove Chiyotaikai out for his 10th win. Kotomitsuki forced Kaio out from his back for his 11th win. Hakuho and Koto-o-shu fought a powerful bout which Hakuho won with a throw. It's a perfect tourney win, and his first in Nagoya.

14th day
Homasho thrust Takekaze out to earn a majority win. Tochinoshin too drove Tokitenku out for his 8th win. Ama threw Goeido for his 10th win. Miyabiyama shifted to the side and forced Kotoshogiku down to secure a majority win. Chiyotaikai shoved Wakanosato's throat and won. Kaio got hold of Koto-o-shu's arm and swung the Bulgarian to win. Hakuho shoved Kotomitsuki's leg and threw him to continue his winning streak.

13th day
Tochinonada drove Takamisakari out. The Robocop succumbed to a majority loss. Hokutoriki shoved Dejima's head and down went the former ozeki. Ama forced Asasekiryu out for his 9th win. Kotomitsuki drove Miyabiyama out for his 10th win. Koto-o-shu managed to take Chiyotaikai out for his 9th win. Hakuho would be able to win the Emperor's Cup if you wins the bout against Kaio. He struggled but managed to take the popular ozeki out. It's his 7th Emperor's Cup.

12th day
Dejima went down in his bout against Tochinoshin. The former ozeki succumbed to a majority loss. Miyabiyama was shoved by Kyokutenho, but at the verge of the ring, he moved to the side and drove the Mongolian down. Baruto picked up Takamisakari and forced him out of the ring. Kaio got hold of Wakanosato's belt with his strong right. His shove forced Wakanosato to lose balance, and Kaio shoved his rear. Kaio celebrated his 36th birthday with a majority win, and his 747th win in the makuuchi division to exceed the legendary Taiho's record to become hold the 3rd most wins among modern rikishi. Number one is Chiyonofuji and number two Kitanoumi. Kotomitsuki got hold of Goeido and drove him out for his 9th win. Ama grabbed Koto-o-shu's arm and swung the ozeki out. Both are 8-4. Chiyotaikai fought aggressively against Hakuho, but the yokozuna in the end, got hold of the front of the ozeki's belt and drove him out. If Kotomitsuki or Toyohibiki losses on the 13th day, Hakuho will secure the Emperor's Cup.

11th day
Baruto drove Dejima out from his rear. Goeito picked Takamisakari up and took the Robocop out the ring. Asasekiryu threw Kisenosato on the ring. The up and coming Kisenosato succumbed to a majority loss. Koto-o-shu pushed Miyabiyama out for his majority win. Kotomitsuki fought aggressively against Chiyotaikai but fell. Chiyo secured his majority win. Kaio immediately got hold of Tochinonada's belt with his right. The ozeki appeared to want to throw, but he patiently drove his opponent out. His career total win tied that with legendary yokozuna Taiho. Hakuho hesitated from facing off with Ama twice. But in the end the yokozuna drove Ama out. Hakuho still has a perfect record. While there's noone following him with 2 losses anymore because Kotomitsuki lost.

10th day
Dejima drove down Takekaze for his 4th win. Goeido drove Miyabiyama out the ring. Wakanoho appeared to have walked out the ring carelessly, but the refrees ruled that Kisenosato's heel touched he dirt outside the ring before that. Koto-o-shu got Wakanosato's belt, then let go, but went after him by shoving with his head and won his 7th bout. Chiyotaikai gave thrusts, then Tochinonada moved to the side. Chiyo practically dived out the ring and lost. Kaio shoved Futeno down for his 6th win. Ama was put off balance, and Kotomitsuki drove him out from his back. Kotomitsuki secured a majority win. Hakuho got hold of Kotoshogiku's belt and gradually shoved him out. Runner up behind Hakuho is now only Kotomitsuki.

9th day
Aminishiki attacked Miyabiyama's throat then pushed him out. Wakanoho was already moving his arms while in a squat position for a face off. Ama went for the Russian's belt with his left, but lost balance to Wakanoho's shove and fell on the ring. It's Ama's 2nd loss. Chiyotaikai gave Kaio thrusts then pulled back to drive Kaio down. Chiyo also fell, but managed to win his 7th bout. Futeno pulled back, and Kotomitsuki went down. It's the ozeki's 2nd loss. Koto-o-shu fought with his eyes on Goeido, and won with a push out. Hakuho immediately got Wakanosato's belt and threw him. Hakuho leads with a clean record, while there's no longer anyone with a loss.

8th day
Two Georgians faced eachother for the first time. Kokkai struggled but managed to drive Tochinoshin out. Tokitenku pulled back and Dejima fell forward. Miyabiyama pushed Takamisakari out for his 6th win. Kisenosato shoved Ama's face. Ama slapped back then forced Kisenosato out. Aminishiki tried all kind of techniques on Kaio. Kaio withstood them all and in the end drove him out for his 5th win. Kotomitsuki was clearly at a disadvantage. With his loose one arm he kept on punching Wakanosato's face. The ozeki somehow was able to gain control and drove Wakanosato down. Koto-o-shu forced Tochinonada out. Chiyotaikai with thrusts, drove Futeno out. Hakuho got hold of Toyonoshima's belt, forced his opponent down, and he also went down the ring.

7th day
Dejima drove Tamakasuga out for his 3rd win. Takamisakari beat Tochiozan for his 4th win. Kakuryu gave Miyabiyama thrusts and drove the former ozeki out. It's Miyabiyama's 2nd loss. Hokutoriki shoved Kotomitsuki, then lost balance, turned his back to the ozeki, and Kotomitsuki drove him out. Asasekiryu shifted his position a bit and Koto-o-shu lost balance, and the Mongolian shoved the ozeki down. The Bulgarian ozeki's chance to seek yokozuna post was gone. Chiyotaikai drove Wakanosato straight out of the ring. Ama shifted to the right and pushed Kaio out. Hakuho got hold of Tochinonada's belt and pushed him out.

6th day
Asashoryu announced he's pulling out from this tourney. It's believe he hurt his left elbow on the first day, and that prevented him from performing well. So Wakanosato who was slated to fight him was automatically given a win. In the day's bouts, Dejima pushed down Homasho. Roho drove Baruto out. Both are 3-3. Miyabiyama shoved Tochinonada's head, then thrust him and defeated the man who beat Asashoryu the day before. Kotoshogiku got hold of Ama's body and drove him down. It's the Mongolian's first loss. Koto-o-shu drove Kisenosato straight out of the ring. Aminishiki gave Chiyotaikai thrusts. The ozeki pulled back and forced Aminishiki down. Kaio got the side of Wakanoho's belt and drove the Russian out. Kotomitsuki faced off against Toyonoshima after the 3rd try. The ozeki didn't appear to have a strong start, but he pushed forward and won. Hakuho immediately forced Futeno down on the ring. Hakuho's the only makuuchi ranker with a clean record.

5th day
Tamanoshima thrust Dejima's head down. It's Dejima's 4th loss. Kyokutenho shoved himself Kakuryu and pushed Kakuryu out for his 4th win. Takamisakari lost to Tokitenku's thrusts. Miyabiyama pushed down Roho. Ama pushed out Chiyotaikai for his 5th win. Kotoshogiku got hold of Kaio's body and drove the popular ozeki out. Kotomitsuki forced Aminishiki down. Koto-o-shu got hold of Wakanosato's belt, picked the Russian up and out the ring. Hakuho drove Hokutoriki out the ring. Asashoryu and Tochinonada fought a competitive bout. The yokozuna clearly lost balance and both fell. It looked to be simultaneous, but the refree gave the bout to Tochinonada. It's Asashoryu's 2nd loss.

4th day
Takamisakari fought persistently and managed to beat Iwakiyama with a throw. Dejima charged forward but with Kakuryu shifting his poisition, he lost balance and lost. Miyabiyama and Tokitenku attacked eachother's throat. But Miyabiyama was the one to push out the Mongolian. Ama quickly drove Toyonoshima out for his 4th win. Kaio patiently tried to get a hold of Kisenosato's belt and when he did, he shoved forward to win. Tochinonada threw Kotomitsuki powerfully on the ring. It's the ozeki's first loss. Koto-o-shu repeated the process of pushing and pulling back. Finally he gave very strong shoves and defeated Futeno. Chiyotaikai drove Kotoshogiku out the ring. Asashoryu and Hokutoriki stared at eachother for a long time before finally facing off and the yokozuna quickly driving his opponent down on the ring. Hakuho shoved Asasekiryu down on the ring.

3rd day
Kokkai thrust Dejima's head down and won. Takamisakari got a hold of Tamanoshima's belt and drove him out for his first win. Miyabiyama drove Futeno down. Ama easily drove out Wakanosato. Kotomitsuki threw Asasekiryu to win. Toyonoshima forced Koto-o-shu down. It's the Bulgarian's 2nd loss. Chiyotaikai's thrusts were not effective. The ozeki was pushed out by Kisenosato. Kaio appeared with tapes around his stomach. But he was fast. He quickly got hold of Hokutoriki and drove him out. Hakuho threw Wakanoho with his left. Asashoryu drove Aminishiki out.

2nd day
Takamisakari was forced out the ring by Kyokutenho who secured his 2nd win. Dejima fell forward in the bout against Iwakiyama. Wakanosato kept his eyes on Miyabiyama and was able to shove the former ozeki out. Ama threw Tochinonada with his right. Koto-o-shu had a weak start but managed to push forward to defeat Hokutoriki. Chiyotaikai immediately thrust Asasekiryu down on the ring. Kaio with his right shoved Toyonoshima so hard, Toyonoshima made a turn. But Kaio appeared to fight thereafter carelessly, he lost balance and fell. Kotomitsuki slightly shifted his position as he faced off and drove Kisenosato out. Asashoryu lost his grip of Wakanoho's belt but managed to throw the young Russian with his left. Hakuho forced Aminishiki down on the dirt.

1st day
New makuuchi rikishi from Mongolian, Koryu drove Toyohibiki down. Dejima charged into Takamisakari and drove the Robocop out before he could take any action. Baruto attacked Miyabiyama and made the former ozeki lose balance. But Miyabiyama pulled himself together and forced the Estonian out. Ama shoved Futen-o's head to win. Chiyotaikai has to gain a majority win this tourney to keep his ozeki rank. He pushed Hokutoriki and easily won. Kaio immediately got hold of Asasekiryu's belt with his right and crashed him down on the ring. Kotomitsuki threw Wakanoho. Koto-o-shu easily lost to Aminishiki's push. Hakuho drove Kisenosato out. Asashoryu was trying to drove Toyonoshima out with his hands on his belt, but as he did, the yokozuna lost balance and touched the dirt. What an upset on the first day.

Pre Tourney highlights
Los Angeles tourney
It's been 27 years since the last sumo tour in L.A. On June 7, the first day of the 2 day event Asashoryu won. The 2nd day's winner was Kisenosato. The two clashed into eachother for the L.A. title, and the yokozuna won. It's reported that 2000 Mongolian fans living in the U.S. came to watch the bouts.


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