Sekiwake Mitakeumi scored an easy win to take the sole lead with a 7-0 record at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.
Two wrestlers, yokozuna Terunofuji, who is seeking his third straight championship, and No. 6 maegashira Abi, are a win back at 6-1 in the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Chasing his third career championship, Mitakeumi was forced back at the get-go, but got a fistful of veteran No. 3 Tamawashi's belt in the process, shoved his opponent back across the straw and forced him out to his second loss.