Yokozuna Hakuho shot down Tochinoshin to keep his eyes firmly on the prize on the third day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday.
Rival yokozuna Harumafuji and ozeki Kisenosato were among a pack of nine sharing the early lead at 3-0, while the ozeki pair of Kotoshogiku and Goeido both hit the deck to suffer their first defeats at the 15-day meet at the hands of Takarafuji and Ichinojo, respectively.
With his opening-day defeat in the rearview mirror, Hakuho, who is seeking his seventh consecutive title, dismantled his opponent's attack as he broke free of Tochinoshin's grasp and got both hands around the mawashi before waltzing his winless opponent out.