Yokozuna Hakuho will enter the final day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in control of his own fate after improving to 13-1 on Saturday.
Hakuho, whose sole loss came on the first day of action at Edion Arena Osaka, defeated ozeki Kotoshogiku for the 47th time to take a one-win lead into Sunday's action.
Kotoshogiku (8-6), who entered the spring tourney with a shot at promotion to yokozuna, crashed and burned after an impressive first week and his lackluster results continued against the yokozuna.