Yokozuna Kakuryu retained his lead with an easy victory over No. 4 maegashira Arawashi on Monday, the ninth day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
The only remaining yokozuna continued his perfect run at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, locking up briefly with his Mongolian compatriot before quickly dispatching him from the ring. Arawashi, who had won his only previous bout with the yokozuna, ended the day with a 4-5 record. The other two yokozuna, Hakuho and Kisenosato, have pulled out of the tournament due to injury.
Sekiwake Mitakeumi and No. 3 Tochinoshin, who each came into the day at 7-1, battled for second place with the Georgian ultimately winning out. Tochinoshin avoided defeat when he was nearly thrown by the sekiwake. Instead, the Georgian used his brute strength to lift up his 164-kg opponent and gently place him outside the ring.