FUKUOKA, Japan (UPI) - Grand champion Tochinishiki Friday defeated ozeki (champion) Wakahaguro and put the 15-day sumo, tournament into a quadruple tie for first place with only two days remaining.
    Wakahaguro and 11th-ranking maegashira Fujinishiki who led the tournament with 11-1 records before the bouts, were both defeated.
    Tied for first place with Wakahaguro and Fujinishiki with 11-2 records are Tochinishiki and yokozuna Wakanohana.
    Roly-poly Wakahaguro attacked fiercely with his hands but Tochinishiki succeeded in grasping his opponent's girdle. Then as Wakahaguro charged again Tochinishiki spun him around and pushed him out of the ring.
    Fujinishiki pushed hard and almost drove out 36-year-old first-ranking maegashira Tamanoumi. The veteran Tamanoumi thrust his right arm through Fujinishiki's defense and drove him out of the ring for a well earned victory.
    Yokozuna Wakanohana, who is shooting for his second straight title, registered his 11th win against two losses by defeating sekiwake Tochihikari with an arm throw. Tochihikari however gave Wakanohana a scare as he started pushing and had the yokozuna retreating early in the bout.
    Komusubi Kashiwado attacked fiercely with both hands and sent ozeki Kotogahama flying out of the ring. It was Kotogahama's fourth defeat against nine wins and eliminated him from any possible chance for the title.
    Komusubi Tsurugamine, with a 1-11 record before Friday's bout, defeated strong sekiwake Annenyama in a hard-fought bout. It was Annenyama's third defeat against 10 victories.