OSAKA -- Ozeki Kaio dodged a bullet Thursday to preserve his unbeaten record and take sole possession of the lead, while yokozuna duo Takanohana and Musashimaru joined a logjam of wrestlers at 4-1 in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
Kaio got himself bent out of shape at the charge against No. 1 maegashira Kyokutenho (1-4), but a combination of veteran savvy and a lack of patience from the Mongolian decided the outcome as the ozeki escaped an arm lock to squash his opponent and improve to 5-0.
Takanohana, Musashimaru and ozeki Musoyama are all locked in a nine-way tie for second place along with half-a-dozen rank-and-file wrestlers a third of the way through the 15-day tourney at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.