Terunofuji took a big step toward his first championship in over five years with a win Friday against ozeki Asanoyama that gave him the outright lead at the July Grand Sumo Tournament.
In the final bout of Day 13, Terunofuji, who is returning to the top division as a No. 17 maegashira, avoided being tipped over at the straw after joint overnight leader Asanoyama (11-2) had the early momentum at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The rank-and-filer was able to regain his feet and levered the new ozeki out, flinging him from the raised ring to win their first career meeting at the 15-day event.