Hakuho Wins Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament

The Daily Yomiuri reports the results of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament:

Hakuho confirmed the inevitable on Friday, winning his seventh career Emperor's Cup with two days to spare

Hakuho is a Mongolian and holds the highest of the sumo ranks.

from the International Herald Tribune:

With Mongolian compatriot and grand champion Asashoryu absent after pulling out with injuries a week ago, Hakuho faced little resistance in the Nagoya meet.

AFP reports that

The tournament was a disappointment for Kotooshu, a Bulgarian who had hoped for a strong showing to elevate him to the top rank of "yokozuna" or grand champion.

Kotooshu, real name Kaloyan Mahlyanov, put on a mediocre performance, losing four times during the tournament.

The Bulgarian stormed through the last tournament in May, becoming the first European to claim a tournament trophy.

Only two wrestlers currently hold the title of yokozuna -- Hakuho and fellow Mongolian Asashoryu.

This is a match from Day 7:


The photo at the top of the post is from user Arcimboldo at Wikipedia.

7/27/2008:
The International Herald Tribune has an update:

NAGOYA, Japan: A day after wrapping up his seventh title, grand champion Hakuho maintained his flawless record on Saturday with a win over Kotomitsuki at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

7/28/2008:
update from AFP-

TOKYO (AFP) — Mongolian grand champion Hakuho said Monday he would return home with confidence to show sumo to his country after proving himself to be at the top of the Japanese national sport.

Hakuho, who swept the 15-day summer tournament that closed Sunday with a perfect record, will join other wrestlers in sumo's first-ever exhibition trip to Mongolia scheduled for late August.

The Daily Yomiuri:

James Hardy / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter

Yokozuna Hakuho nailed ozeki Kotooshu with a huge left-hand overarm throw to close out the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a perfect 15-0 record on Sunday.

Moments later, the 23-year-old Mongolian received the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi, the seventh time he has done so but the first in Nagoya.