KYODO NEWS-May 23, 2021-20:36 | Sports, all

Terunofuji defeated ozeki Takakeisho in the playoffs, won Sunday's Summer Grand Sumo Championship, and ended his second epic return to the sport by winning the fourth Emperor's Cup of his career. High ranking.

Terunofuji (12-3) was quickly overthrown by Takakeisho (12-3) in the final scheduled round of the day and lost his one-win lead, forcing Tokyo's Ryogoku National Gymnasium to enter the championship play-off. But the 29-year-old Mongolian showed his courage and won his first title as an ozeki.

After falling quickly in the first confrontation, Teruto kept his distance in the playoffs and achieved better results while pushing each other, forcing Gao Qingzheng to make a half-hearted pull-down attempt and relaxed. Knock him down on the sand.

"I'm very happy. I have been losing in the playoffs. I think all the hard work has paid off," Terunofuji said. His last loss in the playoffs was in November, when he defeated 13-2. Takakeisho equalized him and then lost to him in the deciding game.

This is also the third time in the past four matches that the championship is attributed to a contest between two wrestlers, and Terunofuji defeated Takakeisho on the last day of March to win the championship.

With the latest championship, Fuji Fuji will participate in the July competition and have the opportunity to be promoted to the highest level in Yokozuna. The mark requires two consecutive championships or a record as good as the highest ranking.

"It's not something that I can become because I want to, that's why I want to experience it," he said of the challenge. "It's fine if it can be done, or if it can't be done."

"I will go all out and hope to walk proudly after giving every bit of my strength. It is useless to do the same thing as I have been doing, and I want to work harder."

The No. 8 maegashira Endo (11-4) defeated Takakeisho and Terunofuji in the first two days to establish a potential three-player play-off, and was eliminated from the championship battle in the loss to ozeki Shodai (9-6).

Endo had a slight lead in the initial charge, forcing Shodai back to the edge. But Shodai's beltless throw on the right made Endo unbalanced, and Ozeki's quick attack from the left left Maegashira with no room for maneuver before being pushed out.

The 30-year-old Endo said that he was “happy to receive such a high evaluation” because he won the fourth technical award for his performance in the competition, and then added, “I have never (participated in the championship battle). a feeling of. "

Terunofuji won his first championship in May 2015 and was promoted to ozeki for the first time after the game, but knee injuries and illnesses have plagued him ever since.

He fell behind from ozeki after September 2017 and further spiraled down-as low as March 2019 in the jonidan division, the second lowest of the sport.

However, Terunofuji bounced back in a fairy-tale way. He won his second professional title after returning to the elite makuuchi department in July last year, shocking the sumo world, and then won his third championship in March this year. , Which allowed him to be promoted to ozeki again.

Terunofuji became the first Xiaoguan to win the championship since the introduction of the current system in July 1969, and after two consecutive defeats, he was demoted.

His first defeat of the month occurred on the 11th day when he was convicted of a foul on 4 Myogiryu, and the circus referee claimed that ozeki caught his hair while throwing at maegashira-a move prohibited in ancient sports.

Elsewhere on the last day, Takayasu (10-5) had a good chance to win another game, but lost to his under-form compatriot Takanosho (5-10). He withstood the continued pressure and then To knock down the tired former ozeki to the ground for a long round.

Komusubi Mitakeumi (10-5) ended the game in double digits and easily introduced the Giant No. 6 Mongolian Ichinojo (9-6).

Compatriot Komusubi Daieisho (6-9) launched No. 4 Myogiryu (6-9) and ended with a winning note, but the New Year party champion may face relegation from three "sanyaku" levels below yokozuna.

The first ranked Ruo Gaoying (9-6) was knocked down by the 12th ranked Qin Jiangzi (9-6), but he won the second consecutive technical award for his stable performance. Now he is almost certain Once promoted to sanyaku.

"It's very pleasant. It makes me feel stronger and strengthens my confidence," Ruo Gaoying said of the award. "I have been focusing on my initial charge, driving at low speeds and attacking upwards... I will look forward to the announcement of the rankings."

Due to a state of emergency due to the Coronavirus in Tokyo, in response to government guidance, the Japanese Sumo Association began to conduct ongoing matches behind closed doors, but from the fourth day onwards, up to 5,000 fans are allowed to enter the stadium.

KYODO NEWS-4 hours ago-12:13 | Sports, all

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