Returning grand champion Hakuho and promotion-seeking ozeki Terunofuji both survived close calls Wednesday at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, as the field of wrestlers with unblemished records was pruned to just three.
The high-profile pair advanced to 4-0 along with rank-and-file grappler Tamawashi on Day 4 at Dolphins Arena.
Hakuho, who had knee surgery in March, needed all his agility and survival instincts to deny No. 2 maegashira Takanosho an upset in the day's last bout.