Sole leader Hakuho and yokozuna rival Asashoryu remained on a collision course at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament after both came through their bouts in contrasting styles on Monday.
Hakuho (9-0) flipped over Wakanosato to preserve his one-win advantage but Asashoryu (8-1) had to dodge another bullet to stay in touch with the front-running yokozuna with six days of the meet remaining at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Another Mongolian, rank-and-filer Kyokutenho (8-1), clung on to his share of second although the title race will probably turn into a two-horse affair between the yokozuna duo as the 15-day basho winds down.