Harumafuji put one hand up on his fourth career Emperor's Cup with a ransacking of fellow ozeki Kakuryu on Saturday, setting up a final day showdown against yokozuna Hakuho for all the marbles at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
After Harumafuji blazed through Kakuryu in the day's penultimate bout to improve to an unblemished 14-0 mark, Hakuho defeated longtime nemesis Kisenosato with an equally powerful performance, bringing his record to 13-1.
Hakuho, seeking his 23rd career title and first in three meets, can force a playoff against Harumafuji with a win against him on Sunday. Harumafuji, who won the Nagoya Basho in July with a perfect 15-0 record, would all but guarantee his promotion to yokozuna with a win over Hakuho in the grand finale of the Tokyo meet.