Sekiwake Hakuho returned to winning ways to beat Kotomitsuki and stay firmly in contention for his first Emperor's Cup with a 12th victory at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.
Asashoryu heaves out Chiyotaikai on the 13th day of the Spring Grand Sumo
Tournament at Osaka Municipal Gymnasium.
The win kept Hakuho tied with grand champion Asashoryu at 12-1 with two days of the 15-day basho remaining and further strengthened his case for promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki.
With his father among a full house at Osaka Municipal Gymnasium, Hakuho was all business as he shrugged off a spirited challenge from Kotomitsuki (8-5) and flipped his opponent down to the dirt.