Rising star Hakuho dealt a major blow to Kaio's promotion bid Tuesday with a convincing win over the ozeki wrestler on the third day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Komusubi Hakuho of Mongolia stunned Kaio with a pair of slaps to the head after the faceoff at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena before throwing his larger opponent down to improve to 2-1.
Kaio, who lost to Kotonowaka on Monday and fell to 1-2, needs at least 13 wins to get consideration for promotion to grand champion and can't afford another loss in the 15-day tourney.
Elsewhere, grand champion Asashoryu of Mongolia was all business when he used an arm throw to send winless No. 3 maegashira Kokkai sprawling over the raised ring.
Asashoryu, who won five of six tournaments last year, remained unbeaten at 3-0.
In other major bouts, sekiwake Wakanosato didn't do his ozeki promotion bid any favors when he was easily shoved out by rank-and-filer Kakizoe.
Wakanosato, who got off to a sluggish start and never recovered, was handed his first loss of the tournament while No. 4 maegashira Kakizoe picked up his first win.
Ozeki Chiyotaikai used his trademark arm thrusts to the upper body to send Tamanoshima backpedaling out of the ring.
Chiyotaikai, who needs a winning record in this tournament to maintain his ozeki status, improved to 2-1, while third-ranked Tamanoshima remains winless.
Injury-prone sekiwake Tochiazuma was handed his first loss when he was hauled down by No. 2 maegashira Tosanoumi, who improved to 1-2.
Komusubi Kotomitsuki (2-1) made short work of Roho (1-2).