No. 8 maegashira Endo blew the title race wide open by emphatically flooring runaway leader ozeki Terunofuji on Saturday, the penultimate day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, with ozeki Takakeisho also staying in the mix.
Terunofuji (12-2) held a two-win lead over his two closest rivals entering the penultimate day of the 15-day event at Ryogoku Kokugikan, but Endo and Takakeisho have now moved within a win at 11-3, meaning a loss by Terunofuji on Sunday could result in two- or three-way playoff.
Endo was at his bullish best as he barged into the bigger Terunofuji's frame, getting his head against the ozeki's chest and forcing Terunofuji to resort to his forceful swing with his powerful left arm.