Kakuryu got his yokozuna bid back on track after the previous day's defeat with a comfortable win against former ozeki Kotooshu at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday.
Yokozuna Hakuho and Harumafuji, meanwhile, were in demolition mode to feature among five wrestlers, including ozeki Kisenosato, sekiwake Goeido and rank-and filer Osunaarashi, in the lead at 4-0.
Kakuryu, who is tasked with winning the tournament with at least 13 wins, deposited Kotooshu (1-3) over the straw bales after grappling the Bulgarian around the waist to move into a logjam of 12 rikishi one off the pace.