Tochinoshin is one win away from claiming his first championship after dispatching Ichinojo at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.
Yokozuna Kakuryu suffered his third straight loss on the 13th-day of the 15-day tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan and now trails Tochinoshin by two wins.
"I'm out there to win," the yokozuna said. "I wasn't concentrating and that was the result."