Ozeki Takakeisho got back on the winning track on Thursday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, pushing out giant No. 2 maegashira Ichinojo.
Demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki Shodai, however, took his second straight loss on Day 5 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, falling victim to No. 2 Meisei a day after the maegashira's upset victory over Takakeisho.
Following three straight losses against Ichinojo (2-3), Takakeisho (3-2) finally got the better of the July tournament winner, knocking him back from the jump and driving him out.
Local favorite Meisei (2-3) once again had the crowd behind him in his one-sided win over Shodai (2-3). The former sekiwake from Kyushu's Kagoshima Prefecture opened with a strong charge and quickly forced out the ozeki, who needs eight wins at the 15-day meet to keep his rank.
"I'm feeling pretty good about my sumo," Meisei said. "I normally just concentrate on the next day and don't think about too much else."
Sekiwake Mitakeumi (4-1) dug deep against komusubi Tobizaru (3-2) to move closer to the 10 wins he needs for automatic promotion back to ozeki in the wake of his 4-11 performance in September.
With both feet against the straw bales, Mitakeumi was on the verge of being forced out when he executed a last-ditch thrust down.
Sekiwake Hoshoryu (4-1) escaped with a win against No. 3 Midorifuji (2-3), reversing a throw and landing just later than his opponent as both men tumbled to the sandy surface.
Sekiwake Wakatakakage (3-2) had a close call against No. 3 Ura (0-5), with ringside officials ruling he pushed out the winless maegashira before being dragged to the clay.