Ozeki Kotoshogiku floored Harumafuji on Thursday to complete a clean sweep of yokozuna and retain sole possession of the lead heading into the final straight at the New Year Grand Tournament.

Kotoshogiku (12-0), whose sensational form here has put him in position to become the first Japanese-born wrestler in a decade to win a championship title, remained one win ahead of Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho.

Fukuoka-born Kotoshogiku looked fired up right from the off in the day's penultimate bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan. He quickly worked Harumafuji (10-2) against the straw ridge and finished the yokozuna off with a "tsukiotoshi" thrust-down maneuver.