Hakuho seized sole possession of the lead with a ninth win at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday after fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu suffered a shock first defeat at the hands of Yoshikaze.

Looking to move within one title of the all-time record of 32 held by legendary yokozuna Taiho with another championship victory here, Hakuho (9-0) was his usual dominant self at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

The yokozuna got both arms wrapped around fourth-ranked maegashira Takarafuji (4-5) and sent him backpedaling over the straw ridge moments before Kakuryu unraveled in the day's last bout.