Baruto Bounces Back in Final Nagoya-Basho Match
After suffering losses on both the 13th and 14th days of the Nagoya-basho tournament, Estonian sumo star Baruto came back on July 24 to defeat the sport's top-ranked athlete and finish third overall in the event.
Rakvere-born Baruto, also known as Kaido Höövelson, was pitted against sumo's leading name, yokozuna Hakuho, on the final day of the basho. The Estonian beat his Mongolian rival using a common technique called uwatenage, an overarm throw combined with a turn.
The victory allows Baruto to leave Nagoya on a high note, ending with 11 wins and four losses, a result that earns him a tie for the third place in the tournament.
The 28-year-old had been fairing much better the previous week, but faltered when he faced fellow ozeki Harumafuji and Kotooshu on July 22 and 23, respectively.
In the end it was Harumafuji who came out on top in the tournament with 14 wins, his shot at a perfect score stopped in the last bout by a throw from sekiwake Kisenosato.
The 15-day Nagoya-basho tournament is among the five major sumo competitions to be held this year.
Steve Roman