Kisenosato crushed out fellow ozeki Kotoshogiku to stay in a share of the lead and on track for a first championship title at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday.

Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho also improved to 10-0, while compatriot Harumafuji kept his title hopes alive and stayed two wins behind the leading duo heading into the final third of the 15-day meet.

Kakuryu, the other Mongolian yokozuna, is also at 8-2. Kotoshogiku looked to be on the way to victory as he had Kisenosato teetering on the edge of the ring following a cagey opening at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

But Kisenosato turned the tables and powered forward to send Kotoshogiku (6-4) to the sandy surface and deservedly keep his share of first place.

In the day's final bout, Hakuho was never seriously in danger against struggling Terunofuji, the yokozuna picking his moment to charge the Mongolian ozeki out to an eighth straight defeat and a losing record.

Hakuho is seeking back-to-back titles here and a record 37th of his career, having overcome an opening-day loss to win the Spring Basho with a 14-1 record in March.

Harumafuji got back on the winning trail after a shock defeat to komusubi Okinoumi on Monday, shoving out Goeido to a third loss, before Kakuryu overpowered Okinoumi (3-7).