Kisenosato remains winless after victory overturned

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The moment of truth for Kisenosato on Day 4 (screenshot)

FUKUOKA, JAPAN – A controversial decision on Wednesday brought one of Japan’s top athletes one step closer to what may be a career-ending moment.

Yokuzuna Kisenosato fell to 0-4, the first time a yokozuna has begun a basho with four straight losses since 1931.

The latest loss was the third straight kinboshi given up by Kisenosato, this time to the undefeated Tochiozan.

In their bout, Tochiozan was pushed back to the edge of the dohyo but managed to avoid the oshidashi and grab Kisenosato’s side for a sukuinage as the two rikishi fell out of the dohyo almost simultaneously.

The gyoji initially awarded the win to Kisenosato, indicating that Tochiozan went out first, but the call was reversed after a mono-ii verified that hit the ground first.

Kisenosato’s loss puts him four losses away from make-koshi, a predicament that generally forces yokozuna into retirement by unwritten custom and tradition.

Tochiozan joins two other rikishi atop the standings with a 4-0 record while five of the 40 rikishi participating in the basho, including Kisenosato, remain winless.

 

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Andrew Sylvia

Assistant EditorManchester Ink Link

Born and raised in the Granite State, Andrew Sylvia has written approximately 10,000 pieces over his career for outlets across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. On top of that, he's a licensed notary and licensed to sell property, casualty and life insurance, he's been a USSF trained youth soccer and futsal referee for the past six years and he can name over 60 national flags in under 60 seconds according to that flag game app he has on his phone, which makes sense because he also has a bachelor's degree in geography (like Michael Jordan). He can also type over 100 words a minute on a good day.