Mongolian grand champion Hakuho packed a heavy punch en route to defeating compatriot Asasekiryu on Tuesday, maintaining his share of the lead with surprise package Goeido with his ninth win at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
Chiyotaikai throws down Aminishiki to hand the sekiwake his second loss of the Autumn Grand Sumo
Tournament on Tuesday.
KYODO PHOTOHakuho was never in trouble in the day's final bout and got a left-handed grip on Asasekiryu's mawashi after the faceoff before depositing him outside the ring to move to 9-1 at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Newly promoted sekiwake Aminishiki, however, was sent sprawling to a second defeat at the hands of ozeki Chiyotaikai.
Makuuchi debutant Goeido stayed in front with a convincing win over Kasugao (7-3) to notch a ninth win but he has yet to face the top-ranked wrestlers in the elite division.
With five days remaining, Hakuho has his gaze squarely fixed on winning his fourth career Emperor's Cup and first title since his promotion to sumo's highest rank.
He is the favorite in the absence of yokozuna Asashoryu, who has been suspended from the ongoing meet and the Kyushu meet in November. But five wrestlers sit one off the pace with 8-2 marks.
Aminishiki fell right into Chiyotaikai's trap after the ozeki used the sekiwake's momentum against him, deploying a pulling technique to send him down. Chiyotaikai improved to 8-2.
In an upset, newly promoted ozeki Kotomitsuki (6-4) slumped to a second straight loss when he retreated on his heels against a charging Dejima.