Top-division debutant Takerufuji moved to the brink of a historic championship by defeating sekiwake Wakamotoharu at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.
With two days left at Edion Arena Osaka, the bottom-ranked No. 17 maegashira holds a two-win buffer at 12-1 following his latest victory against an opponent from the distinguished "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna.
His nearest rivals at 10-3, ozeki Hoshoryu and No. 5 maegashira Onosato, need Takerufuji to lose both of his remaining bouts, while going undefeated themselves, to rein in the leader.
The 184-centimeter, 143-kilogram Takerufuji demonstrated his explosiveness and power as he wrenched Wakamotoharu (7-6) off balance and forced him over the straw bales.
The 24-year-old from Aomori Prefecture is bidding to become the first makuuchi-division debutant to win the Emperor's Cup since Ryogoku in May 1914 and the only wrestler to achieve the feat in the era of six annual grand tournaments beginning in 1958.
Hoshoryu, who snapped Takerufuji's record-equaling unbeaten streak at 11 wins on Thursday, clinically removed No. 6 maegashira Gonoyama (9-4) from the leaderboard with a beltless arm throw.
Onosato slapped down sekiwake Daieisho (5-8), consigning him to a losing record for the 15-day tournament.
Having started the tournament as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki, Takakeisho (8-5) claimed the all-important eighth win needed to keep his rank as he eliminated new ozeki Kotonowaka (9-4) from title contention.
Takakeisho looked in trouble after Kotonowaka took an outside belt grip, but he surprised his taller opponent by attempting a beltless arm throw before shoving him out from behind.
No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama (8-5) is set to compete at sanyaku for the first time since May 2021 after securing a winning record with his victory over komusubi Abi (8-5). No. 2 maegashira Atamifuji, meanwhile, strengthened his bid for a first sanyaku promotion by claiming his eighth win at the expense of fourth-ranked Hiradoumi (7-6).
The nightmare continued for ozeki Kirishima, who dropped to 3-10 with his loss to No. 7 maegashira Kinbozan (6-5-2).
Related coverage:
Sumo: Hoshoryu hands star rookie Takerufuji 1st loss in Osaka
Sumo: Takerufuji ties Taiho's top-tier rookie win streak record of 11
Sumo: Top-division rookie Takerufuji opens up 2-win lead
