NAGOYA – Two months after spoiling Hakuho’s perfect record in May, veteran sekiwake Goeido handed the yokozuna his first loss of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday.

Goeido (9-2) fought the yokozuna to a standstill on the tachiai, countering his every move until Hakuho attempted to throw his opponent and poor footwork spelled disaster. He did manage a throw, but collapsed under the sekiwake to see his record drop to 10-1 after 11 days at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium. It was Goeido’s fourth victory against Hakuho in 27 career bouts.

The loss dropped Hakuho into a tie for the lead with ozeki Kotoshogiku (10-1), whom he will face on Thursday.

Kotoshogiku effectively used his bulk to daunt a straight-ahead charge from yokozuna Harumafuji (7-4) before forcing him back and out of the ring. It was an old story for Harumafuji, who has lost most of his career matches to Kotoshogiku, who now holds a 29-19 edge.

Yokozuna Kakuryu, who fell victim to Goeido the day before, improved to 9-2 by easily controlling the tempo of his match with No. 4 maegashira Takekaze and thrusting him out.

Goeido and Kakuryu are joined at 9-2 by No. 11 maegashira Takayasu.

Takayasu suffered his second loss when he was forced out by fellow maegashira Jokoryu (8-3). In a match that developed into a fierce but inconclusive slapping and shoving battle, Jokoryu had an open look at his opponent’s belt, grabbed it with his left hand and used it to usher Takayasu out.

Ozeki Kisenosato improved to 8-3 but had to summon all his strength to overcome a challenge from Tamawashi. The No. 4 maegashira blistered out of the tachiai to force the ozeki back to the straw bales but was unable to tip him over. After a prolonged stalemate, Kisenosato proved too skillful and finally toppled his man at the edge of the ring.