No. 4 maegashira Shodai put on an electric performance at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday to retain his place at the top with fellow rank-and-filer Tokushoryu.
Locking horns with No. 7 Shohozan (5-5) on Day 10 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Shodai (9-1) lifted the smaller man clear off the ground and blasted him out of the ring.
The former sekiwake, who is coming off an 11-4 runner-up finish at the Kyushu Basho in November, faces new komusubi Daieisho on Wednesday as he continues his hunt for a first makuuchi championship.