Veteran ozeki Kisenosato stayed in pole position for his first career championship by maintaining his perfect record on Friday, the sixth day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kisenosato, long looked upon as the top Japanese hope to rise to the highest rank of yokozuna, improved to 6-0 with a clinical win over komusubi Tochiozan (1-5) at Edion Arena Osaka. Kisenosato coolly received his opponent's charge, seized control and steered Tochiozan to the straw, where the komusubi buckled backward under pressure.

The victory kept Kisenosato in a tie for the lead with No. 4 maegashira Ikioi.