Yokozuna Kakuryu suffered his first loss and landed in a two-way tie for the lead on Wednesday, the 11th day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Kakuryu started the bout against sekiwake Tamawashi in strong shape, putting up a solid defense against the the Mongolian's dogged pushes and slaps.
The yokozuna, however, was forced to the edge of the ring when he tried to pull Tamawashi down, and was instead pushed out in the biggest upset at Ryogoku Kokugikan so far.