Hakuho extended his consecutive wins streak to 41 and pulled two clear of the field heading into the homestretch at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday.
Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu and Brazilian maegashira Kaisei both fell to their second losses and Hakuho (11-0) capitalized in the day's final bout against ozeki Kakuryu at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
The Mongolian yokozuna, who on Tuesday became the first wrestler since the start of the Showa era to achieve a second 40-match run, looked like he had nearly fluffed his lines as he was sent back pedaling to the edge of the ring.
But he responded swiftly and turned the tables on Kakuryu (7-4) at the death to send him down with a kotenage armlock throw and take a big step toward his 26th career title.
Fellow yokozuna Harumafuji (7-4), who has been the target of criticism for his lack of success, snapped a three-bout losing streak when he got both hands on Kotooshu's left arm and defeated him with a tottari armbar throw.
Twelfth-ranked Kaisei was dropped to a second defeat when he was taken out with an overarm throw by third-ranked Chiyotairyu (7-4).
In other bouts, Ozeki Kotoshogiku scored his first win in three bouts to move to 7-4 with a force-out win over Mongolian veteran maegashira Kyokutenho, who suffered a losing record with an eighth defeat.
Kisenosato, whose hopes for yokozuna promotion all but evaporated with three early losses here, secured a winning record with a comfortable frontal push-out win against sekiwake Myogiryu (5-6).