Estonian man mountain Baruto beat fellow European rank-and-filer Hakurozan to retain his share of the lead at 5-0, while Mongolian grand champion Hakuho remained one win back at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday.
Back in the makuuchi division after winning the second-tier juryo title with a 13-2 mark in September, Baruto proved an immovable object at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, wrapping up his Russian opponent and working him over the bales to preserve his unbeaten record. Hakurozan dropped to 2-3.
Baruto shares the lead with ozeki Chiyotaikai, while Hakuho stayed in touch with the early pacesetters at 4-1 with a classy win over Dejima in the day's final bout.
Hakuho got a scare as Dejima (3-2) threw him off balance after the charge but the yokozuna's quality shone through as he recovered to send the No. 2 maegashira down with a beltless arm throw.