Let the real fireworks begin.
Undefeated yokozuna pair Hakuho and Harumafuji remained on trajectory for an explosive finale Thursday, while ozeki Kisenosato won the first battle of wrestlers two off the pace with a wrecking-ball act of Chiyotairyu to keep himself in the hunt with three days remaining at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Ozeki Kakuryu, meanwhile, all but dropped out of contention when he was sent to a third defeat at the hands of Bulgarian No. 5 maegashira Aoiyama at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.