Hakuho inched a step closer to his 24th career title with a trouncing of ozeki Kotoshogiku on Wednesday, improving to an outstanding 11-0 at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

With rank-and-filer Okinoumi trailing at 9-2 and rival yokozuna Harumafuji in a trio of rikishi at three defeats, Hakuho will likely claim the tournament hardware before the weekend is out at the 15-day Osaka meet.

The last time Kotoshogiku beat Hakuho was at the 2011 Autumn Basho, and Hakuho has gone on an 8-0 rampage since to improve to an eye-popping 34-3 in career bouts against the ozeki.