Sekiwake Mitakeumi stayed unbeaten Saturday to hold onto the sole lead at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Fighting in his ninth-straight tournament among the three sanyaku rankings beneath yokozuna, Mitakeumi kept a breakthrough top-level title in his sights by beating veteran Kotoshogiku on Day 7 at Dolphins Arena.
No. 1 maegashira Kotoshogiku (2-5) came in hard from the jump, but Mitakeumi blocked his attack, gaining an inside grip and digging in at the center of the ring. He then drove Kotoshogiku back to the edge of the straw before forcing him out.