Grand champion Hakuho tamed ozeki Kotooshu in a relentless attack while yokozuna rival Asashoryu knocked off Aminishiki to maintain a share of the lead on the 12th day of action at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday.
Hakuho and Asashoryu improved to 11-1 while rank-and-filer Kakuryu is chasing the two leaders with a 10-2 record. Seventh-ranked maegashira Takekaze and 10th-ranked maegashira Kyokutenho are two off the pace at 9-3.
In the day's penultimate bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Hakuho was the picture of efficiency, shoving Kotooshu off balance with a series of quick shoves before dumping the Bulgarian ozeki to the dohyo surface with a sure-fire beltless arm throw. Kotooshu (7-5) remained one win away from easing his relegation worries.