Yokozuna Hakuho delivered an imperious performance to beat Takarafuji and maintain his share of the early lead on Wednesday, the fourth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Chasing a 36th career title and first in three meets, Hakuho was all business in the day's penultimate bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The Mongolian grabbed second-ranked maegashira Takarafuji (0-4) by the throat at the charge and then set himself up to get a firm left-handed grip on his belt and send him over the straw bales.