Lone yokozuna Terunofuji will head into the final weekend of the Fukuoka Grand Sumo Tournament with the outright lead and a perfect 13-0 record after dominating sekiwake Mitakeumi on Friday.
He holds a one-win buffer over No. 15 maegashira Abi, who took sole ownership of second place after stunning ozeki Takakeisho in a tie-breaking battle on Day 13 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Having won 11 of their 15 previous top-level meetings, Terunofuji maintained his superiority over Mitakeumi (9-4) at the 15-day tournament, taking his belt at the jump and bulldozing him straight back and out.