Endo got the biggest win of his young career, beating ozeki Kisenosato Thursday to emerge from a dark tunnel after four straight days of defeats against the top echelon at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
Undefeated yokozuna pair Hakuho and Harumafuji are still in charge as both banged out wins to share the lead with surprise package Osunaarashi at 5-0.
Ozeki Kakuryu, meanwhile, kept his yokozuna bid alive with a bulldozing of winless Tamawashi, remaining one off the pace in a group of nine wrestlers, including Kisenosato and fellow ozeki Kotoshogiku at 4-1, at Bodymaker Colosseum.