As the competition drops off like flies, Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho once again proved he is in a league of his own, grabbing sole possession of the lead while extending his interminable winning streak to 56 bouts at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
Hakuho beat countryman Tokusegawa to improve to 9-0 at the 15-day meet, continuing his run that began on the 14th day of the New Year basho in January, while Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu sapped the energy out of the title race after suffering his first defeat at the hands of nemesis Aminishiki.
In the day's final at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Hakuho used his favored right-handed grip while keeping his opponent from grabbing his own mawashi before rolling the No. 4 maegashira with a well-timed overarm throw. Tokusegawa fell to 3-6.