Ozeki Musoyama blasted out surprise package Tokitsuumi on Thursday as the title race opened up with three days remaining at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Victory left both Musoyama and No. 7 maegashira Tokitsuumi with 9-3 records, while ozeki Chiyotaikai and Kaio and maegashira pair Miyabiyama and Tosanoumi also stayed in the hunt for the Emperor's Cup as each posted ninth wins at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
Tokitsuumi had admitted earlier in the day that he was "more surprised than anyone" to be in sole possession of the lead after 11 days of the 15-day tourney. But there was nothing surprising about the way his three-bout winning streak came to an end.
Clearly nervous at the face-off, Tokitsuumi made a false start and when the bout got under way he went on the defensive and allowed Musoyama, who is gunning for his first title since the 2000 New Year meet, to quickly gain control.