Yokozuna debutant Kakuryu rebounded from a first defeat with a demolition of Takekaze on Thursday to remain one off the pace at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
Hakuho, who is seeking his 29th career title and first in two meets, is in sole possession of the lead at 5-0. Fellow yokozuna Kakuryu and Harumafuji are in a group of 10 wrestlers one behind at the 15-day tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
In the day's penultimate bout, Kakuryu, who lost to rising star Endo on Wednesday, unleashed a salvo of thrusts against Takekaze (1-4) before calmly slamming him to the dohyo surface.