Kisenosato momentarily appeared to have suffered his first loss at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament as the referee erroneously declared his opponent the winner of their bout Wednesday, but the decision was soon corrected to give the ozeki a 4-0 record.
The only one among four ozeki without a loss so far in the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Kisenosato shares the lead with yokozuna Hakuho and three maegashira wrestlers.
The 30-year-old Kisenosato, looking for his first championship in the makuuchi division, circled around the dohyo in a bear hug with Shohozan (2-2) before twisting the No. 2 maegashira down at the edge of the raised ring.