Lone yokozuna Terunofuji dropped to 2-3 with another upset loss Thursday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, heightening the prospect of his withdrawal from the 15-day competition.

The injury-prone grand champion appeared unable to generate power through his legs as he was forced out by No. 3 maegashira Oho (2-3) in the final bout of Day 5 at Edion Arena Osaka.

Oho, the 24-year-old grandson of former yokozuna Taiho, maintained the momentum from the opening clash as he hoisted the nine-time Emperor's Cup winner over the straw bales.

Oho (R) defeats Terunofuji on the fifth day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka on March 14, 2024. (Kyodo)

"There were nerves involved (facing the yokozuna) but I tried to put them aside and just move naturally," Oho said.

Terunofuji claimed the January championship with a 13-2 record, but it was the first time he had completed a 15-day meet since the previous May. The Mongolian-born yokozuna has battled with severe back pain while also trying to maintain the health of his two surgically repaired knees.

Ozeki Kirishima (1-4) slapped down No. 2 maegashira Meisei (2-3) to end a nightmare four-bout losing streak from the opening day, but Day 5 delivered further upsets, with ozeki Takakeisho and Kotonowaka among the losers.

Takakeisho, fighting as a demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki after pulling out in January, dropped to 3-2 with a push-out loss to 21-year-old No. 2 maegashira Atamifuji (3-2). The powerfully built youngster was on top from the start as he avenged a championship playoff loss to Takakeisho last September.

Top-ranked maegashira Ura (3-2) claimed his third ozeki victim of the tournament as he dropped newly promoted Kotonowaka (3-2) with an under-shoulder swing down.

Ozeki Hoshoryu (4-1) stayed one win off the pace by toppling No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama (2-3) with a superbly executed underarm throw.

Abi defeated fellow komusubi Nishikigi (1-4) to remain the only unbeaten member of the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna. He shares the lead at 5-0 with No. 5 maegashira Onosato and No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji, contesting his first top-division tournament.


Related coverage:

Sumo: Terunofuji falls to 2nd loss as Kirishima remains winless

Sumo: Wakamotoharu, Abi lead undefeated wrestlers in Osaka

Sumo: Terunofuji gets 1st win, but upsets continue on Day 2