Baruto snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and moved into the second week of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament still tied for the lead after seeing off top-ranked maegashira Kakuryu on Saturday.
The promotion-chasing sekiwake has ridden his luck on more than one occasion so far at the 15-day meet and looked to be on his way over the straw ridge after being mugged by Kakuryu (2-5) at the charge at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
But the Estonian bulldozer quickly regained his composure at the edge and countered to barge out his Mongolian opponent and stay on course for a move up to sumo's second rank of ozeki.
Baruto, who needs at least 13 wins here to stand a realistic chance of promotion, is tied at 7-0 with yokozuna and title favorite Hakuho, ozeki Harumafuji and rank-and-filer Tokitenku.
Hakuho put on a sumo clinic in the day's finale, sending Kotoshogiku (5-2) sprawling with an underarm throw after landing a series of juicy shots to the third-ranked grappler's face.
Harumafuji remained in title contention but was made to huff and puff for his seventh win after being given a rough ride by Toyonoshima, who dropped to 3-4.