Hakuho, Harumafuji stay undefeated with solid wins on Day 4

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The yokozuna duo of Hakuho and Harumafuji both posted convincing wins on March 12 at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka to stay in a six-way tie for the lead. The news was released on asahi.com website, same day. Hakuho overpowered Okinoumi, getting both arms around the No. 2 maegashira and driving him out in a matter of seconds to improve to 4-0. Okinoumi put up little resistance and dropped to 2-2 in the day's penultimate bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Hakuho is gunning for his 29th career title, which is just two shy of former great Chiyonofuji and closing in on the all-time record held by Taiho with 32. At just 29 years old, Hakuho's chances of catching Taiho are looking good. Harumafuji, who sat out the New Year tourney with an injury, was equally impressive on March 12, fighting off an arm throw to dispatch No. 2 maegashira Tochinowaka, who dropped to 1-3, and keep pace at 4-0. Kisenosato, Goeido, Osunaarashi and Homasho also stayed perfect on March 12. Ozeki Kakuryu, who is bidding for promotion to yokozuna and needs at least 13 wins, bounced back from a March 11 loss to Okinoumi when he got a double grip on the belt of the Kotooshu and hoisted the sekiwake out to improve to 3-1. Former ozeki Kotooshu fell to 1-3. Ozeki Kisenosato kept his slate clean with a difficult win over top maegashira Tamawashi. The two wrestlers exchanged a series of arm thrusts and Kisenosato looked to be in trouble, but Tamawashi stepped out over the raised ring to end the bout and take his fourth straight loss. Top maegashira Endo's struggles against the elite wrestlers continued when he was shoved out by ozeki Kotoshogiku to remain without a win. Kotoshogiku improved to 3-1 when he got both arms around his opponent and dispatched Endo in a matter of seconds. To add insult to injury, Endo left the ring with a bloodied forehead. After impressing in previous tournaments, Endo quickly moved up the ranks and became a fan favorite, but the first four days of the tournament have shown he has a lot to learn at the higher ranks. Sekiwake Goeido displayed deft footwork at the edge while getting an arm lock on Shohozan and sending the winless komusubi out to maintain a share of the lead at 4-0. In an earlier bout, Egypt's Osunaarashi stayed tied for the lead and showed he is more than just brawn in a bout with massive Georgian-born Gagamaru. After being pushed back to the edge by a series of arm thrusts, No. 11 maegashira Osunaarashi calmly swatted down the 199-kilogram No. 9 maegashira at the edge to improve to 4-0. Gagamaru, who just tried to rely on his weight advantage with frontal shoves, dropped to 1-3. Juryo-ranked wrestler Homasho is also at 4-0 after forcing out winless 15th-ranked maegashira Tenkaiho. Elsewhere, komusubi Toyonoshima shoved out sekiwake Tochiozan to give both wrestlers a 2-2 record.