Yokozuna Hakuho took a big step toward his 30th career championship on Thursday, when he defeated ozeki Kotoshogiku to take the sole lead at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

The pair entered the 12th day of the 15-day tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium with identical 10-1 records. Kotoshogiku's defeat left him one win off the pace and in a tie for second with yokozuna Kakuryu (10-2), who easily disposed of No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi (2-10) in the day's final bout. Eleventh-ranked maegashira Takayasu also improved to 10-2.

Although Kotoshogiku got a belt hold and prevented Hakuho from getting one of his own, the yokozuna rarely looked threatened and switched to Plan B. He wrapped up the ozeki's extended arm and twisted him down to defeat with an armlock throw. It was Hakuho's 40th career win against Kotoshogiku in 44 bouts.