Sole leader Ichinojo overwhelmed demotion-threatened ozeki Mitakeumi as the giant No. 2 maegashira improved to 6-0 at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.
A day after overpowering yokozuna Terunofuji, Ichinojo delivered another commanding performance. He immediately grabbed an overarm belt hold with his left hand and swung Mitakeumi (2-4) to the side with an armlock throw before grappling the ozeki out.
"I'm happy. I was quick to the belt and I think it was good sumo," said Ichinojo, a former sekiwake who missed the entire Summer meet in May after contracting the coronavirus. "I knew I had to charge forward (today), so I kept that in mind during the bout."