Mongolian Hakuho inched closer to promotion to yokozuna on Friday with a solid win over Kotomitsuki at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
Ozeki Kaio, right, gives yokozuna Asashoryu his third loss of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with an
upper arm throw on the 13th day at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Friday.
KYODO PHOTOOzeki Hakuho got a grip of Kotomitsuki's belt and hoisted the bulky sekiwake out over the straw ridge to improve to a perfect 13-0 in the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Kotomitsuki fell to 10-3.
Hakuho could wrap up his second straight Emperor's Cup on Saturday and ensure himself promotion to the sport's highest rank.
Sumo hasn't had two grand champions competing at the same time since November of 2003.
Mongolian Asashoryu, sumo's yokozuna, fell out of contention when he was thrown down by ozeki Kaio in the day's final bout.
Asashoryu fell to 10-3 while Kaio improved 9-4.
In other major bouts, Bulgarian Kotooshu dispatched fellow ozeki Chiyotaikai to wrap up a winning record and improve to 8-5.
Chiyotaikai, who dropped to 10-3, attempted to use his trademark arm thrusts but was shoved out by Kotooshu, who managed to get a hold of Chiyotaikai's belt.
Eighth-ranked maegashira Asasekiryu stayed in the hunt when he overpowered No. 4 Aminishiki to notch his 11th win against a pair of losses.
Aminishiki, who beat Asashoryu on Tuesday, dropped to 8-5.
Tenth-ranked maegashira Dejima ousted Takamisakari to improve to an impressive 11-2.
Takamisakari, a No. 7 maegashira, dropped to 8-5.