Yokozuna Hakuho was all business on Monday, easily racking up his ninth win on the ninth day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
After watching two championship rivals barely stave off defeat in the previous two bouts, Hakuho was in imperial form as he retained his sole lead, one win ahead of ozeki Kisenosato and No. 5 maegashira Ikioi, both at 8-1.
In the day's final match, sekiwake Tochiozan exploited an off-balance charge by struggling new yokozuna Kakuryu to slap him to the surface. Kakuryu fell to 6-3, while Tochiozan collected his sixth win.