Mongolian Hakuho posted a hard-fought win over compatriot Kyokushuzan on Thursday to remain tied for the lead with three days left in the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.
Ozeki Hakuho heaves out Kyokushuzan on Thursday, the 12th day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Hakuho, who is making his ozeki debut in the 15-day tourney at Ryogoku Kokugikan, grabbed No. 5 maegashira Kyokushuzan by the belt and tried to lift him over the straw ridge.
Kyokushuzan put up a determined fight but finally relented when Hakuho hoisted his opponent high off the raised ring and carried him out to improve to 11-1, tied with Miyabiyama.
Kyokushuzan fell to 9-3.
In other major bouts, sekiwake Miyabiyama kept his share of the lead when he used a series of powerful arm thrusts to send Bulgarian Kotooshu over the edge.
Ozeki Kotooshu has struggled during this tournament and dropped to 6-6. The popular Bulgarian heads into the final three days of the tourney hoping to salvage a winning record.
Ozeki Chiyotaikai saw his title hopes all but dashed when he was shoved out by sekiwake Kotomitsuki to fall to 9-3. Kotomitsuki improved to 7-5.
Estonian Baruto, meanwhile, continued to impress in his makuuchi division debut and remained one win off the pace with a victory over Iwakiyama.
Baruto, a No. 11 maegashira, overpowered ninth-ranked Iwakiyama to improve to 10-2. Iwakiyama fell to 7-5.
Things will get more challenging for Baruto starting on Friday when he faces No. 2 maegashira Asasekiryu, who defeated Hakurozan to improve to 9-3.
Mongolian Ama finally got back to winning form when he shoved out No. 4 maegashira Tokitenku to give both wrestlers a 3-9 record.