Top-ranked maegashira Daieisho fought off a stern challenge from former ozeki Takayasu to remain unbeaten on Thursday, the fifth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Daieisho, who beat the three current ozeki over the tournament's first three days, remained in a three-way tie for the lead of the 15-day basho at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan with fellow rank-and-filers Meisei and Akiseyama.
Takayasu (2-3), currently a komusubi, had a slight opening at the start of the bout, as Daieisho struggled to get traction on the sandy surface after their mid-ring collision. But Daieisho remained poised, drove forward and took control of the bout when Takayasu whiffed on a slap-down attempt and lost his balance.