Sole ozeki Takakeisho survived a closely fought battle with third-ranked maegashira Midorifuji on Saturday to remain tied for the lead at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
With the first week of the 15-day tournament in the books, the highest-ranked rikishi in the absence of yokozuna Terunofuji shares the top rung with four members of the rank-and-file at 6-1.
In a thrilling finale to Day 7 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Takakeisho was taken out of his comfort zone by rising talent Midorifuji (4-3), who escaped a push out before trading roundhouse slaps with the ozeki.
With Midorifuji coming in for the kill, Takakeisho grabbed hold of the charging maegashira and sent him tumbling with an uncharacteristic arm-lock throw.
Former sekiwake and current No. 1 maegashira Daieisho notched a win to keep a share of the lead, as did No. 8 Onosho, No. 10 Aoiyama and No. 13 Kotoshoho.
Sekiwake Shodai, demoted from ozeki after posting a losing record in November, fell to 2-5 after being pushed out by No. 2 Tamawashi (4-3). He now must win all of his remaining eight bouts to earn automatic promotion back to the second-highest rank.
Mongolian sekiwake Hoshoryu (5-2) snapped a two-match losing streak in impressive fashion, knocking November champion Abi off the top perch.
No. 3 Abi (5-2) drove Hoshoryu to the straw with thrusts to his upper body before the talented 23-year-old circled back inside to execute a force out.
Sekiwake Wakatakakage stumbled to 3-4 against No. 4 Nishikifuji (3-4), who claimed a straightforward win by slap down.