HAKUHO DAVAAJARGAL DISPOSES OF KOTOOSHU IN A HURRY TO STAY PERFECT ON DAY 11

Ulaabaatar /MONTSAME/ Yokozuna Hakuho M.Davaajargal moved one bout closer to what looks almost like an inevitable title at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Jan. 22, bringing his record up to a perfect 11 with only compatriot Kakuryu posing a challenge, with one loss, reported Asahi news website Wednesday. Hakuho swiftly got inside sekiwake Kotooshu's defenses for a belthold that pretty much wrapped up the match at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena. Though the Bulgarian struggled to ward him off, the yokozuna focused on lifting him and throwing him down, although the final throw was academic, as Kotooshu was already out of the ring. Kotooshu, who until recently was an ozeki, is 6-5. Kakuryu, meanwhile, claimed his 10th win with thrusts that overwhelmed No. 4 maegashira Takekaze. The Mongolian ozeki had a decent face-off despite being caught at a bit of an angle and then launched three thrusts to the chest that had Takekaze reeling. Takekaze is now 5-6. Barring an unexpected meltdown, Hakuho is in a very good position to take top honors on Jan. 26. With rival yokozuna Harumafuji--the defending champion from December--out with an injury, Kakuryu has been Hakuho's biggest concern. Kakuryu is not known as a closer, however, and has never made it to the end in first place. Hakuho, on the other hand, has 27 championships and is treading on very familiar territory as he leads the way. Fighting with his right shoulder and both of his knees heavily taped, Kotoshogiku grappled and then wiggled his way to victory over No. 5 maegashira Shohozan, who at 8-3 has generally been performing well but had no attack against the desperate ozeki. Kotoshogiku now needs only one more win to secure his ozeki status for March. Struggling Kisenosato took a hard hit to the chin as sekiwake Goeido bashed him at the face-off. The ozeki held firm and unleashed a series of thrusts that quickly put him in charge of the bout until Goeido had to step out backward to keep from falling. Kisenosato looked calm and collected throughout even though this has been a very disappointing competition for him, with his hopes of promotion falling to the wayside as he collected four losses. Goeido is still in the red, with a 5-6 record. Komusubi Tochiozan suffered his fourth loss, this time to the veteran No. 5 maegashira Kyokutenho (5-6), of Mongolia. Among the other contenders, upcoming No. 10 maegashira Endo threw down No. 12 maegashira Gagamaru to stay in the title hunt at 9-2.