Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho defeated Aoiyama on Thursday to extend his unbeaten start to five matches in his comeback from a knee injury at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho improved to 5-0 to stay tied for the lead with ozeki Kotoshogiku and maegashira pair Ikioi and Chiyootori, but yokozuna Kakuryu's hopes of back-to-back titles took another early hit as the Autumn Basho champion was saddled with a second upset defeat.

Hakuho was all business in the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, getting a strong left-handed grip on the back of Aoiyama's belt and deploying a trademark uwatenage overarm throw to send the No. 2 maegashira (0-5) sprawling over the edge of the dohyo.