Komusubi Takayasu won a battle of former ozeki wrestlers to take the sole lead of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, the half-way point of the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The 31-year-old Takayasu, who has yet to win a grand tournament, improved to 7-1 for the tournament and 12-7 in his career against sekiwake Terunofuji (6-2).
A 29-year-old two-time champion, Terunofuji appeared riled by his opponent's last-minute mind games. The Mongolian crouched ready for the clash to start, and huffed audibly when Takayasu stood back on the raised ring and made his opponent wait.