Rank-and-filers Shodai and Tokushoryu maintained their joint lead with one-loss records at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday, while ozeki Goeido staved off demotion by avoiding an eighth defeat.
Shodai (10-1), the No. 4 maegashira on the east, was put to the test by Daieisho (3-8) on Day 11 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The new komusubi kept Shodai upright and on the ropes for the majority of the bout, but the maegashira held his ground and forced Daieisho from the ring with a last-gasp shove.