Unheralded Atamifuji took the outright lead at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday after winning a head-to-head battle with joint overnight leader Takayasu.
With lone yokozuna Terunofuji out due to injury, and wrestlers from the three distinguished sanyaku ranks underperforming, No. 7 maegashira Takayasu and No. 15 Atamifuji faced off in the most anticipated bout of Day 10 at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Meeting for the first time, the two frontrunners clashed heavily at the opening and traded blows before Atamifuji (9-1) knocked Takayasu (8-2) off balance and pushed him to the clay.