NAGOYA — Mongolian grand champion Hakuho moved within one win of matching former yokozuna great Taiho's 45-bout winning streak on Thursday, overpowering rank-and-filer Kitataiki on the 12th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
The lone yokozuna, who is the only undefeated wrestler at 12-0, will face his biggest test over the final three days of the 15-day meet, starting with Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu on Friday, as he aims to become the first wrestler since the incorporation of the six-tourney system in 1958 to win three consecutive meets without a defeat.
A win over Kotooshu for Hakuho would place him in a share of third on the all-time list with Taiho, and also earn him the Nagoya title if Japanese-born maegashira Homasho suffers his third loss.