A trio of rank-and-file wrestlers, led by November's champion, No. 3 maegashira Abi, stood atop the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament standings with 5-0 records on Thursday.
Abi easily fended off Wakatakakage (2-3) to preserve his spot among the leaders. When the sekiwake charged in low and to the right, Abi reacted in a flash and thrust his opponent to the raised ring's sandy surface.
No. 10 Aoiyama and No. 13 Kotoshoho also won to improve to 5-0 at the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Sekiwake Hoshoryu, the nephew of former Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu, fell from the lead pack when his guileless straight-forward charge collided with resolute No. 1 Daiesho (4-1).
The maegashira dug in his heels, knocked Hoshoryu backward with a pair of well-timed slaps, and the sekiwake, lacking a Plan B, was easily thrust out.
Ozeki Takakeisho, the tournament's highest ranked wrestler in the absence of sole yokozuna Terunofuji, who is recovering from surgery, remained one win back of the leaders at 4-1 after pushing out veteran No. 2 Tamawashi (3-2). Takakeisho will face Abi on Friday.
Aoiyama took his time but held off winless No. 8 Oho before pulling him off balance and finishing him with an overarm throw. Kotoshoho caught a break when the knee of No. 15 Mitoryu (2-3) buckled under him while attempting an overarm throw.
Komusubi Meisei earned his first win by exploiting a misstep by sekiwake Shodai (1-4), who needs nine more wins to recover the ozeki ranking he lost in November. New komusubi Kotonowaka also beat a former ozeki, sekiwake Takayasu (1-4), to earn his first win.