Kaio, winner of the Nagoya tournament, maintains the top east ozeki position for the second straight time, while yokozuna Asashoryu keeps the top east slot for the third tournament in the Japan Sumo Association's rankings for the upcoming Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament released Monday.
The 30-year-old Kaio, who won the July tournament with a 12-3 result, is said to need a perfect 15-0 record in the Sept. 7-21 tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan if he is to attain sumo's highest rank of yokozuna.
Asashoryu, who pulled out of the last tournament from the 11th day after a lackluster 5-5 win-loss tally due to neck and elbow injuries, is making a new start in life with his wife and a newborn baby in Japan after settling, at least officially, a long-standing feud with fellow Mongolian, No. 8 maegashira Kyokushuzan.