Yokozuna Harumafuji pulled out the howitzer for Brazilian big boy Kaisei on Saturday to retain his undefeated record on the seventh day of action at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Harumafuji improved to 7-0 as the sole leader with yokozuna rival Hakuho stalking in a trio, including rank-and-filers Takarafuji and Tochinowaka, one behind at 6-1 as the first week of sumo's first major tournament of the year wrapped up to a full house at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
But the second week will get started on a sorrowful note Sunday after legendary former yokozuna Taiho, largely regarded as the greatest sumo wrestler of the post-war era, died the same day at a Tokyo hospital at the age of 72.