Yokozuna Hakuho retained his one-win buffer at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament after beating No. 4 maegashira Kotoyuki on Monday.
Targeting a record-extending 43rd makuuchi title at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Hakuho (8-1) delivered a hard left-handed slap to Kotoyuki (4-5), then darted to the side while pulling the rank-and-filer down in the final bout on Day 9.
New komusubi Asanoyama and No. 13 Kagayaki remain one win behind the yokozuna, while five wrestlers sit two wins off the pace in the clash for the last Emperor's Cup of the year.