OSAKA -- Sekiwake Musoyama looked every inch ozeki material Wednesday as he demolished grand champion Akebono in a clash of unbeaten wrestlers on Day 4 of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
Chasing ozeki promotion after winning his first Emperor's Cup in January, Musoyama took advantage of Akebono's suspect balance by creating an angle to throw down the massive Hawaiian and retain a share of the lead at 4-0 with rank-and-filers Toki and Takatoriki.
Akebono, who won the last of his nine championships in May 1997, looked one-dimensional, while Musoyama stuck to his game plan by crashing in head-on at the charge, slipping to the side and then pulling out a perfectly timed right-arm throw.