Kisenosato condemned overnight leader and fellow ozeki Terunofuji to his second consecutive defeat on Friday to throw the title race open with two days remaining at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
Yokozuna Kakuryu took full advantage of Terunofuji's loss in the day's last bout as he blasted out ozeki Goedio (6-7) to move alongside his compatriot at 11-2.
Kisenosato and 12th-ranked maegashira Ikioi are a further win back at 10-3.