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FUKUOKA, JAPAN – After holding sole possession of first place for over a week, Takakeisho now finds himself in a tie atop the leaderboard of November’s grand sumo tournament.
Takakeisho fell to 12-2 on Day 14 to ozeki Takayasu despite initially pushing him to the edge on the tachi-ai.
After the initial thrust however, Takakeisho lost his footing, allowing Takayasu to spin around and push him down in the back, providing a hikiotoshi victory.
On the final day of the competition, Takakeisho will face maegashira #3 Nishikigi (8-6) while Takayasu faces sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-8). If both rikishi win or lose, they will face off again in a playoff to determine the yusho.
The final day also holds drama for five rikishi holding at 7-7, all maegashira that can see possible promotion or demotion depending on whether they can obtain a winning record for the tournament.
In other news from Day 14, komusubi Kaisei announced his withdrawal from the tournament, citing a calf injury suffered a day earlier. Kaisei missed the first two days of the tournament due to a leg injury suffered in practice. He is the third rikishi to withdraw from the tournament.