Sole leader Takayasu held onto his one-win buffer Thursday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament after overcoming dangerous rank-and-file opponent Hokutofuji.

The komusubi improved to 10-2 on Day 12 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan with a push-out victory that kept him in front of ozeki Asanoyama and sekiwake Terunofuji, who are both 9-3.

Following his second defeat on Day 11, Takayasu was determined to avoid joining sekiwake Takanosho, and two ozeki, Takakeisho and Shodai, in losing to giant-killing No. 2 maegashira Hokutofuji (7-5) at the 15-day meet.