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FUKUOKA – Yokozuna Onosato maintained his flawless beginning and secured a victorious record at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, but just barely, due to a strong performance by veteran Tamawashi who competed on his 41st birthday.

Onosato (8-0) faced his most significant challenge during the 15-day event at Fukuoka Kokusai Center when Tamawashi (4-4) resisted the initial charge, then moved forward and pushed the struggling grand champion’s throat with his right hand near the edge of the elevated ring.

However, Onosato moved his body to the left while stepping back before barely pressing down the Mongolian-born No. 4 maegashira as he remained in the match with his left foot on the straw bales.

New sekiwake Aonishiki (7-1) remained one victory behind the leaders after defeating Oho (3-5), who also holds the third-highest rank, as Oho struggled to counter the Ukrainian rising star’s low-level techniques.

However, Aonishiki remained patient in his strategy, and his perseverance ultimately succeeded when he pushed Oho down using a thigh hold at the border.

Yokozuna Hoshoryu is among the five wrestlers with a record of 6-2 following his attempt to pull down Ura (3-5), who nearly exited the ring before the grand champion seized the thigh of the No. 3 maegashira from behind and pushed him out to secure victory with a leg pick.

Hoshoryu is tied at 6-2 with No. 5 maegashira Yoshinofuji and No. 12 maegashira Fujinokawa, both of whom suffered defeats on the day, along with No. 14 maegashira Tokihayate and No. 15 maegashira Nishikifuji.

Ozeki Kotozakura (3-5) concluded his three-match losing run by enduring fierce assaults from No. 3 maegashira Hiradoumi (2-6) and ultimately winning with a footless arm throw, using his right foot on the straw.