Lone ozeki Takakeisho and 13th-ranked maegashira Kotoshoho will enter the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament's final day in a two-way tie for the lead after racking up convincing victories on Saturday.
Takakeisho overcame dangerous Mongolian sekiwake Hoshoryu, while Kotoshoho brushed aside No. 1 maegashira Daieisho to improve to 11-3 on Day 14 at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The other overnight co-leader, No. 8 Onosho, lost to komusubi Kiribayama, joining him on the second rung of the leaderboard at 10-4.
Chasing his third Emperor's Cup and a potential yokozuna promotion, Takakeisho quickly slapped down ascendant star Hoshoryu (7-7), whose movement has looked hampered since injuring his ankle on Day 9.
The 23-year-old Kotoshoho knocked Daieisho (9-5) out of the title race in their high-stakes bout, snaring the former sekiwake's belt and forcing him over the edge. Onosho, meanwhile, was thrust down easily by Kiribayama, whose win kept him in contention for a maiden Emperor's Cup.
Wakatakakage (8-6) secured a winning record at the 15-day meet by pushing down fellow sekiwake Shodai (6-8), who countered with a thrust down but tumbled out before his opponent hit the clay.
Komusubi Wakamotoharu (8-6) clinched a winning record in his first meet among the distinguished sanyaku ranks by pushing out No. 2 Tamawashi (8-6) and could be poised for promotion to sekiwake.
"I'm obviously pretty happy with the result. Getting a winning record was my main goal," said Wakamotoharu. "The possibility of promotion is there, but I'll just take things a day at a time."
Fellow komusubi debutant Kotonowaka (7-7) can still reach eight wins after thrusting out No. 3 Midorifuji (6-8), while No. 3 Abi (7-7), November's champion, will also try to avoid a losing record on the final day after his defeat to No. 9 Endo (9-5).