Newly promoted yokozuna Kakuryu used his quick reflexes to dispose of giant-killer Yoshikaze while Harumafuji escaped a second consecutive defeat by the skin of his teeth with a close win over Aoiyama at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
Although the nerves were palpable, especially for Harumafuji after a first-day loss to Yoshikaze, the three yokozuna each finished in the winner's column on Day 2. Kisenosato and Kotoshogiku, the last remaining wrestlers at sumo's second highest rank of ozeki, made it 2-for-2.
Kakuryu (2-0) almost suffered the same fate as Harumafuji from the previous day in the penultimate bout when he retreated while attempting to slap Yoshikaze (1-1) down at Ryogoku Kokugikan. It was only his motor reflexes that saved him as he darted to his left and flattened the newly promoted komusubi at the last second.