The leaderboard at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament got a little less congested Monday, on the ninth day of action, with three of the overnight co-leaders falling to losses.
Yokozuna Harumafuji was the biggest casualty, going down to fifth-ranked maegashira Tamawashi (3-6), while there were also second losses for sekiwake Terunofuji and maegashira Takayasu.
Hakuho, the most successful yokozuna in history with 34 career titles and aiming to lift his seventh straight Emperor's Cup, and rank-and-filers Kaisei and Kyokushuho head the standings at 8-1.
Harumafuji was forced out by Tamawashi, the yokozuna's foot just overstepping the rope as his opponent used his weight advantage to full effect.
Any chance of a second upset in the day's last bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan were quickly dashed when Hakuho, who had the luxury of a day off Sunday when he won by default after injured Osunaarashi withdrew, wasted little time in barging sekiwake Myogiryu (3-6) out of the ring.
No. 11 maegashira Kaisei made sure to stay in contention as he proved far too strong for Takayasu at the charge, ending the bout in seconds, while No. 11 Kyokushuho recovered from a bad tachiai to pull down Takanoiwa (5-4).
Ozeki Kisenosato remained one win off the pace by pushing third-ranked Sadanoumi (4-5) out of the ring and in the battle of the other two ozeki, Goeido (6-3) beat Kotoshogiku (4-5).