Sumo Basho is getting even better

As I mentioned before, Asashoryu is hoping to win this tournament and set a new record by winning six tournaments in a row. But he lost his first bout which is not a good sign. Well, it's now day 11 and Asashoryu hasn't lost another bout, which is good.

However, Kotooshu (the handsome Bulgarian rikishi ... and Greta's boyfriend) is currently undefeated!! 11 wins -- 0 losses! Since this tournament was his debut at the Sekiwake level he is now in the record books with the best Sekiwake debut since they started the 15-day tournament schedule back in the 1950s. And the two guys who had the best Shin-Sekiwake (new Sekiwake) records before him both went on to become Yokozuna!

Tonight ... ohhhh tonight ... Kotooshu had his first top-level opponent, Tochiazuma (an Ozeki). Who himself has been having a pretty good tournament with a 8-2 record. Kotooshu wins! Not only does he win but he retains control throughout the bout and soundly defeats Tochiazuma.

Next up was the last bout of the day, the Yokozuna, Asashoryu against Aminishiki (a lower-ranked guy who hasn't been doing to well). We're all ready for Asashoryu to dish out the usual ass-whoopin. But no. He get's over confident and Aminishiki keeps his whits about him and he manages to leg trip Asashoryu and dump him on this butt! The Yokozuna looked stunned. I almost thought he'd break out laughing ... "I got beat by Aminishiki".

This means that Asashoryu is now tied with several other guys at 9-2 while Kotooshu is the sole leader at 11-0. With only four days to go Kotooshu looks poised to win his first Emperor's Cup.

Kotooshu. Gambatte kudasai!!