Veteran No. 3 maegashira Tamawashi took advantage of a slipup to snap yokozuna Terunofuji's 23-match win streak on Friday to remain within one win of the lead at New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
The win improved the 37-year-old Tamawashi's career record between the Mongolian-born grapplers to 6-10 and left both with 5-1 records, one back of sekiwake Mitakeumi and No. 6 Abi in the 15-day tourney at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Terunofuji, who so far at this tournament has repeatedly navigated out of difficult situations, seemed taken back by the speed of Tamawashi's charge. A couple of shoves to the throat kept him on the back foot, only for that foot to lose its traction.