Sumo: Asa falls to 1st defeat, Kotooshu rallies at New Year sumo
January 9, 2006Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu fell to a first defeat at the hands of Kokkai on Monday while newly promoted Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu brushed aside an opening day loss, disposing of Takekaze at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. In the day's finale, Georgian No. 2 maegashira Kokkai got his hands on the yokozuna's belt and ushered him to the ring's edge before toppling him over with a strong one-handed shove to the chest, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Boxing: Eagle Kyowa retains WBC minimumweight title
January 9, 2006Thai boxer Eagle Kyowa successfully defended his WBC minimumweight title Monday, beating Japan's Ken Nakajima by technical knockout in the seventh round. Japan-based Kyowa took control from the outset and maintained pressure on the No. 8 ranked challenger with a barrage of punches until the referee stopped the scheduled 12-rounder 1 minute, 1 second into the seventh round at Pacifico Yokohama.