Takakeisho took the outright lead at the November Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday after Terunofuji suffered his first loss of the 15-day meet against rank-and-file opponent Daieisho.
Mongolian komusubi Terunofuji struggled to get a belt hold against the charging No. 2 maegashira, who seized an opening after his opponent went for a face slap. Daieisho (5-3) quickly moved onto the front foot and pushed the former ozeki off the raised ring at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Terunofuji (7-1) is wrestling from the elite sanyaku ranks below yokozuna for the first time in 17 tournaments. After dropping to the fifth tier of professional sumo due to serious knee injuries, he made a remarkable return to the elite makuuchi division in July, when he captured his second Emperor's Cup.