No. 1 maegashira Hokutofuji's perfect start to the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament came to an end on Wednesday as three low-ranked wrestlers remained unbeaten after four days of action.
After completing a sweep of ozeki over the opening three days, Hokutofuji (3-1) was pushed out by sekiwake Daieisho (2-2), whose shoves to the throat and chest proved too much for the top-placed rank-and-filer at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
No. 6 Onosho (4-0) stayed perfect after coming up with a superb opening drive that immediately forced No. 5 Shonannoumi (2-2) back to the edge of the raised ring in a push-out win.
No. 10 Kinbozan (4-0) from Kazakhstan forced out former ozeki and No. 11 Mitakeumi (3-1), while Atamifuji (4-0) floored fellow No. 15 Chiyoshoma (1-3) with a beltless arm throw in a bout lasting over a minute.
No. 12 Sadanoumi (3-1) fell to an overarm throw from No. 11 Hokuseiho (2-2) for his first loss.
New ozeki Hoshoryu (1-3) fell to his third straight defeat despite pushing No. 3 Shodai (1-3) to the edge straight from the off. Former ozeki Shodai dodged the ensuing attack and outflanked another follow-up move from Hoshoryu before executing a beltless arm throw.
Demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki Takakeisho (3-1) overpowered No. 2 Asanoyama (2-2). Takakeisho's powerful low drives and relentless pressure gave the former ozeki no room to breathe before being slapped to the clay.
Another kadoban ozeki, Kirishima (2-2), suffered back-to-back defeats, however. No. 2 Abi (3-1) pushed Kirishima's face and throat straight away before opting for a sudden and successful pull-down attempt.
Sekiwake Kotonowaka and komusubi Nishikigi, newly promoted to their respective ranks, improved to 3-1.