FUKUOKA, JAPAN – Kisenosato, the sole yokozuna in November’s basho, fell for the third time in three matches on Tuesday, leaving doubts on whether he will withdraw from the tournament completely.
The loss marked the second kinboshi in as many days surrendered by the grand champion, this time to top ranked maegashira Hokutofuji.
Kisenosato tried to get inside Hokutofuji’s left side, but could not find traction, eventually falling via tsukioyoshi.
Hokutofuji is now 2-1 all-time against Kisenosato, defeating him last November as well.
After three days, four rikishi remain undefeated, including hometown favorite Sadanoumi. Kisenosato is joined by five other rikishi in the winless column, including Brazilian komusubi Kaisei, who fought for the first time in the tournament after missing his first two matches to injury.
