Yokozuna Hakuho defeated rank-and-filer Hokutoriki on Thursday, continuing to stay hot in pursuit of his third consecutive title at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the day's final, Hakuho took his time against Hokutoriki, keeping a tight right-handed grip on the No. 3 maegashira's mawashi and carefully muscling him over the edge to improve to 4-1 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Hokutoriki slipped to 1-4.

After suffering an opening-day defeat to Aminishiki, Hakuho is firmly in the driver's seat and sits just one behind co-leaders Miyabiyama and Dejima at the 15-day meet.