After wrapping up his 24th career title with two days to spare at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, Hakuho is now just one win away from going 15-0 for an unprecedented ninth time in his illustrious career.
The yokozuna staved off a feisty challenge from ozeki Kakuryu in the day's finale to roll to 14-0 and only has to beat rival yokozuna Harumafuji on the final day Sunday to etch his name in the record book as the only man to achieve such a feat.
In stark contrast, Harumafuji has begun another unraveling reminiscent of his famous meltdown on his yokozuna debut last November, plopping to his fifth loss at the hands of bogeyman Kisenosato.