Promotion-chasing ozeki Kaio, who claimed his fifth Emperor's Cup at the autumn meet, maintained the top ozeki position as the Japan Sumo Association announced the rankings Monday for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Kaio went 13-2 to take home the tourney hardware in Tokyo and will need a big showing if he is to succeed in his latest bid for promotion to yokozuna in the 15-day meet kicking off at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 14.
Lone grand champion Asashoryu, whose bid for an unprecedented sweep of all six tournaments in a single calendar year ended with a 9-6 record in the autumn meet in September, will be looking to bounce back and keeps the top east slot.