Hakuho blasted out Goeido to close in on his 35th career championship on Friday as fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu crashed to his second defeat at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho improved to 12-1 to seize sole possession of the lead and he can clinch the championship on Saturday with a win against Kisenosato, coupled with a defeat for Kakuryu, who faces Goeido.

Kakuryu, who missed the last two tournaments due to injury, is seeking his first Emperor's Cup since being promoted to sumo's top rank of yokozuna.