Harumafuji's latest bid for promotion to yokozuna continued to gather pace Saturday as he took out Gagamaru to come through the first week of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament unscathed and tied for the lead with a 7-0 record.
Harumafuji, aiming for back-to-back titles after winning the Nagoya Basho without a single loss, was given a run for his money by his Georgian opponent at Ryogoku Kokugikan, but he showed good technique as he broke up a mid-ring stalemate and got both arms around the No. 2 maegashira to beat him with a "shitatenage" underarm throw. Gagamaru dropped to 2-5.
Aiming for a move up to the top of the sumo ladder for the third time, Harumafuji shares the lead with yokozuna Hakuho, ozeki Kisenosato and maegashira pair Kyokutenho and Takayasu.