New yokozuna Terunofuji won a tough clash of unbeaten wrestlers against Mongolian compatriot Kiribayama to improve to 5-0 and remain in the lead on Thursday, the fifth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Terunofuji, the sole yokozuna fighting at the 15-day event at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan with yokozuna Hakuho's Miyagino stable sidelined due to coronavirus infections, is tied with unbeaten No. 17 maegashira Chiyonokuni.

Terunofuji quickly found himself on the defensive against his much smaller compatriot, as the No. 2 maegashira locked up one of the yokozuna's arms and tried to pull him over the straw but failed. Kiribayama (4-1) tried again with the other arm and in the process secured an over-arm belt hold but failed to press his advantage.