Promotion-chasing sekiwake Kotomitsuki dodged a bullet before pulling off an upset win over ozeki Kaio to preserve his share of the three-way lead in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
Meanwhile, ozeki duo Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai both had a trouble-free day at the office as both posted easy wins to stay unbeaten with six days left in the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
In the day's featured bout, Kotomitsuki needed to pull out all the stops to topple Kaio (6-3) and showed dogged determination as the autumn champion moved closer to promotion to sumo's second highest rank of ozeki.