Mongolian ozeki Hakuho disposed of rank-and-filer Homasho to remain in sole possession of the lead at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday.
Ozeki Hakuho (left) pushes out No. 5 maegashira Homasho on Wednesday to keep his solo lead at 10-1 in the
Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
KYODO PHOTOYokozuna Asashoryu, meanwhile, stayed hot in pursuit one off the pace with a decisive victory over ozeki Tochiazuma in the day's final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
Hakuho could not get his preferred left-hand underhand grip on his opponent's mawashi, but got both hands under Homasho's armpits before dumping him into the ringside seats to improve to 10-1. Homasho slipped back to 8-3.
In a battle between wrestlers with two defeats, Asashoryu stopped Tochiazuma dead in his tracks at the face-off and got a right-hand grip on his opponent's mawashi before dragging down to the dohyo surface to move to 9-2.
Asashoryu is aiming for his fifth straight title and 21st Emperor's Cup overall and is tied with surprise-package Tochiozan, a No. 14 maegashira.
In other major bouts, ozeki Kotooshu got both hands wrapped around Kisenosato and muscled out the top-ranked maegashira to improve to 7-4. Kisenosato dropped to 5-6.
Kaio (5-6) locked horns in a battle with fellow ozeki Chiyotaikai (6-5), getting a right-handed grip on his opponent's belt before tossing him backward over the straw bales.
Ama ground out fellow Mongolian komusubi Tokitenku (5-6) to improve to 6-5.
Kotoshogiku (3-8) won his second straight bout after five losses in a row, heaving out Mongolian Asasekiryu (3-8) while fellow sekiwake Kotomitsuki steamrolled Toyonoshima (6-5), getting a right hand around his opponent's belt and upending him over the edge.