Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho cemented his place among the early pacesetters with a routine win over Shodai at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday.
Spring champion Hakuho, who with 36 career titles is the most successful wrestler in sumo history, shares the lead at 4-0 with fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu and ozeki pair Kisenosato and Goeido.
Hakuho was never in any danger in the day's last bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan. The yokozuna dished out a juicy slap at the charge before setting himself up for victory over the winless No. 2 maegashira with a neck thrust.