Lone yokozuna Hakuho posted a quick-fire win against Wakakoyu on Saturday to preserve his share of the lead going into the second week of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
The Mongolian firebrand wasted no time in laying into Wakakoyu (2-5) at the charge in the day's last bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, sending him packing with a pulling overarm throw to make it three wins out of three against the third-ranked maegashira. Hakuho is tied at 7-0 with the ozeki duo of Baruto and Harumafuji, and rank-and-filer Daido.
The 27-year-old Hakuho is coming off his worst performance as a yokozuna — a 10-5 mark at the Summer Basho — but is still the favorite to win his 23rd Emperor's Cup here.