No. 2 maegashira Ichinojo outmuscled yokozuna Terunofuji to maintain his perfect record and take the sole lead after five days of action at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday.
Four rank-and-file wrestlers are chasing Ichinojo at 4-1, while two demotion-threatened ozeki — Shodai and Mitakeumi — both lost as they continue their underwhelming performance at Dolphins Arena.
The giant 211-kg, 192-cm Ichinojo (5-0) fully displayed his potential by defeating fellow Mongolian-born wrestler Terunofuji (3-2) after quickly seizing a left overarm belt hold, which he never relinquished.