Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho made short work of Okinoumi, but Japanese ozeki pair Kotoshogiku and Kisenosato both tasted defeat at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday.
The scariest moment of the day, however, was when gyoji (referee) Shozaburo Kimura took a nasty spill in ozeki Baruto's bout against Wakakoyu and was left unconscious at ringside before he had to be carted out of the auditorium on a stretcher by sumo officials.
After the bizarre accident which left sumo fans with looks of concerned silence, Hakuho remained in a share of the lead at 4-0 with ozeki trio Kotooshu, Baruto and Harumafuji, as well as sekiwake Kakuryu and maegashira Asasekiryu.