Kakuryu stayed on path for his second career title as he remained undefeated with a demolition of Aoiyama, while fellow yokozuna Hakuho tamed the "monster" to remain hot in the chase on the ninth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
Kakuryu improved to 9-0, retaining the sole lead with six days remaining in Fukuoka. If he can win all the marbles, it will be Kakuryu's first championship at sumo's highest rank.
Hakuho, who has his eyes firmly fixed on matching the all-time record of 32 career wins held by the late sumo legend Taiho, sits at 8-1 along with ozeki Kisenosato and veteran rank-and-filer Kyokutenho.