• Irons waits as J-Bay postponed • Asashoryu wins Nagoya sumo Irons waits as J-Bay postponed Hanalei native Andy Irons will face Australian Richie Lovett in the fourth round of the Billabong Pro at Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa when the
• Irons waits as J-Bay postponed
• Asashoryu wins Nagoya sumo
Irons waits as J-Bay postponed
Hanalei native Andy Irons will face Australian Richie Lovett in the fourth round of the Billabong Pro at Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa when the contest resumes. The contest was postponed Sunday because of lack of waves, but a bump in swell is expected today.
Irons eliminated Sean Holmes of South Africa in the third round Saturday. Holmes, a wildcard entry had beaten Irons the previous two years at the J-Bay contest.
Irons scored a near-perfect 9.93 with a deep barrel to dash Holmes’ hopes.
“Finally,” said Irons, surrounded by media. “I’ve got to say it was a huge monkey on my back the last couple of years. Sean’s an awesome competitor, and he knows how to sit and wait for the good waves. I want to take my hat off to him.”
Asashoryu wins Nagoya sumo
NAGOYA, Japan— Grand champion Asashoryu ran away with his fourth straight Emperor’s Cup on Sunday, bowling over ozeki Kaio at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
The championship was a tight race to the last, with five wrestlers vying for the Emperor’s Cup.
Ultimately, Asashoryu’s one-win lead atop the standings going into the final day’s bouts was decisive. It was the Mongolian-born wrestlers eighth title overall — proving his mettle as the sole reigning yokozuna, sumo’s most prestigious rank.
In the day’s final bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Asashoryu made quick work of Kaio to post his 13th win. The grand champion spun Kaio round by the belt, wrapped him in a bear hug and, with a final shove, emerged the victor. Kaio’s loss left him at 12-3.
“I remembered how sad I was for not winning last year’s Nagoya tournament and so I gave it everything I had,” said Asashoryu.
Asked what he will strive for next, Asashoryu said: “The Tokyo tournament. I’ve still never won it before.”
In the earlier showdown of title contenders, Miyabiyama outlasted Asasekiryu, keeping the compact Mongolian at bay by grabbing his neck before hoisting him out by the belt. Miyabiyama, a No. 7 maegashira, improved to 12-3, while No. 10 maegashira Asasekiryu fell to 11-4.
Also, No. 14 maegashira Toyozakura also kept alive his hopes of a shot at the trophy with his 12th win over Shimotori. His toes on the rope marker and his back arched, Toyozakura pulled off a last-second spin that left a stunned Shimotori stumbling out.
A clash of the ozekis ended without a fight. Chiyotaikai finished with a win, going 10-5 after Musoyama forfeited due to an injury. Musoyama was 8-6-1.
In other major bouts, rising star Hakuho sidestepped a frontal attack by sekiwake Tochiazuma, who flopped to his hands. Tochiazuma’s defeat, which left him at 10-5, delivered a possible setback to Tochiazuma’s bid for promotion to ozeki.
The 19-year-old Mongolian-born Hakuho ended only his second tournament in the top division 11-4.
Komusubi Kotomitsuki put on an exciting show for the crowd, with a hard-fought win over No. 4 maegashira Dejima. The lower-ranked Dejima appeared to have the upper hand, pinning Kotomitsuki’s arms and nudging him toward the edge. But with a well-timed twist, Kotomitsuki sent Dejima sprawling off the platform and into the first row of seats.
