Hakuho capitalized on a slip-up by fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu on Friday to grab sole possession of the lead heading into the final weekend of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Hakuho watched Kakuryu get bullied by yokozuna Harumafuji and took full advantage in the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, flooring ozeki Kotoshogiku (6-7) with a textbook uwatenage throw to move to 12-1 at the 15-day basho.
Hakuho, who is seeking his fourth consecutive title, is one win ahead of Kakuryu, while Harumafuji, ozeki Kisenosato and Georgian No. 8 maegashira Tochinoshin are at 10-3.
Harumafuji looked in total control and got both arms around Kakuryu and charged him over the straw ridge.
Tochinoshin (10-3), enjoying a strong tournament on his return to the makuuchi division, was outmuscled in an absorbing contest against Mongolian man mountain Ichinojo and fell two wins off the pace.
Sekiwake Ichinojo, who posted a remarkable 13-2 record on his makuuchi debut at the Autumn Basho, improved to 7-6.
At sumo's second rank of ozeki, Kisenosato held off Brazilian-born No. 4 maegashira Kaisei (5-8) and took him down at the ring's edge to move it into double-digit wins.
Fighting for pride after posting a losing record on his second tournament at ozeki, Goeido overpowered third-ranked maegashira Terunofuji (6-7) for a fifth win.