Hakuho gave giant-killing komusubi Kisenosato a sumo lesson to preserve his unbeaten record heading toward the final third of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
Hakuho improved to 8-0 to stay tied for the lead with Bulgarian bulldozer Kotooshu, while fellow Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu continued to lurk in the background one win adrift after a demolition of Tokitenku.
Kisenosato (5-3) stunned Asashoryu on opening day and has also claimed two ozeki scalps, but the up-and-coming youngster was put firmly in his place in the day's final bout as Hakuho spotted an opening and dragged the komusubi down by the back of the head.