Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho floored Aminishiki on Thursday to reclaim a share of the lead at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament thanks to a little help from countryman Ama.
Komusubi Ama throws down Goeido to hand the No. 14 maegashira his second loss at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
KYODO PHOTOAma took out surprise package Goeido and Hakuho took full advantage to rejoin Goeido in a two-way tie for the lead at 10-2 by slapping down sekiwake Aminishiki in the day's finale.
Hakuho weathered an early neck thrust and capitalized on a slip to haul down Aminishiki (8-4) and stay on track for his first title since winning promotion to grand champion after the summer basho in May.
Hakuho is wrestling as the lone yokozuna here in the absence of suspended Monglian Asashoryu, who is back in his native land undergoing treatment for a stress disorder and injuries.
Goeido's debut in sumo's elite makuuchi division has been nothing short of remarkable but komusubi Ama made sure he brought the 14th-ranked maegashira crashing back to earth with a slam-dunk "okuritsuriotoshi" throw in an entertaining earlier bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Ama shares second place with Kakizoe, Kasugao and Kyokutenho, the quartet sitting one win behind the co-leaders with three days of the 15-day meet remaining.
Elsewhere, it was a day of mixed fortunes for ozeki as Kotomitsuki secured a majority of wins on his debut at sumo's second rank but Chiyotaikai slumped to a second straight defeat.
Kotomitsuki outlasted fifth-ranked Miyabiyama to score an eighth win but Mongolian sekiwake Asasekiryu (6-6) read Chiyotaikai like a book, countering the ozeki's slaps and thrusts and marching him out of the dohyo from behind.
Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu had no such trouble in his bout with Takekaze.