Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho fired off another textbook win to retain his share of the lead at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.
The 27-time Emperor's Cup winner was quick on his feet in the day's penultimate bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, sending down No.3 maegashira Takayasu (1-5) with a beltless arm throw to stay tied at 6-0 with fellow yokozuna Harumafuji and maegashira Shotenro.
A 28th career championship for tournament favorite Hakuho here would leave him three behind Chiyonofuji (31) and four behind the legendary Taiho (32) on the all time titles list.
Harumafuji, coming off a 10-5 record in which he was dogged by injuries, also showed neat footwork at the charge and spun Okinoumi (2-4) around and barged the komusubi over the bales for a routine win.
Fifteenth-ranked Shotenro kept his unbeaten record intact thanks to a frontal thrust out win over 11th-ranked Masunoyama (5-1).
At ozeki, Kisenosato (5-1) kept in touch with the leaders, chasing out second-ranked Toyonoshima (2-4). Kakuryu, the only other ozeki left in the tournament following the injury-enforced withdrawal of Kotooshu and Kotoshogiku, toppled No. 3 maegashira Takekaze (4-2) to sit another win off the pace.
In the day's opening bout, Egyptian Osunaarashi (2-4) flattened juryo grappler Terunofuji.
