Yokozuna Terunofuji easily took care of rank-and-file opponent Myogiryu on Saturday to wrap up the opening week of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament with a flawless 7-0 record.
He shares the lead with ozeki Takakeisho, who was also untroubled in his bout against No. 3 maegashira Okinoumi on Day 7 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Facing former sekiwake and current No. 3 Myogiryu (2-5) in the final bout of the day, lone grand champion Terunofuji established a virtually unbeatable double arm lock from the initial charge.
From there, the Mongolian-born juggernaut only needed to twist sideways to toss his hapless opponent to the sandy surface.
Terunofuji, who took Japanese citizenship this year, is aiming for his sixth Emperor's Cup and first as sumo's sole active yokozuna following the recent retirement of all-time great Hakuho.
Takakeisho was in command from the outset against Okinoumi (2-5), blasting him straight back and out in a matter of seconds.
Having struggled with a neck injury that forced his withdrawal from the July competition, two-time grand tournament winner Takakeisho looks to have regained his trademark explosiveness.
The other joint overnight leader, No. 15 Abi, took his first defeat of the 15-day tournament against No. 12 Hokutofuji (5-2), losing the battle of former komusubi by slap down.
Returning to makuuchi competition here in Fukuoka, the 27-year-old Abi made a rapid climb back through the divisions after serving his three-tournament suspension for breaching coronavirus safety rules during the July 2020 meet.
Ozeki Shodai, making another lackluster start to a tournament, improved to 4-3 by forcing out No. 4 Takarafuji (3-4). The pair jockeyed for position before Shodai gained a double inside grip and bundled Takarafuji out.
Sekiwake Mitakeumi stayed one win off the pace at 6-1 with an easy thrust down against floundering komusubi Kiribayama (1-6).
Bidding for a third Emperor's Cup, Mitakeumi was able to conserve energy after slinging his opponent to the clay in the opening seconds.
No. 6 Tamawashi remained one win back at 6-1 by pushing out No. 5 Takayasu (4-3). The one-time grand tournament winner from Mongolia delivered a strong opening hit and drove his former ozeki opponent straight out.
Sekiwake Meisei continued to struggle in his second tournament at sumo's third-highest rank, dropping to 3-4 with a slap down loss to No. 2 Onosho (2-5).
The 27-year-old Kagoshima Prefecture native may be feeling a sense of deja vu, having just held onto his rank with victory on the final day of the September tourney.
Komusubi Ichinojo (3-4) snapped a three-match losing streak by blowing away No. 1 Wakatakakage (2-5). The gigantic komusubi made the most of his roughly 80-kilogram weight advantage, blasting his opponent straight out from the opening.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Terunofuji one of unbeaten trio in Kyushu tourney
Sumo: Terunofuji makes great escape to remain among unbeaten leaders
Sumo: Lone yokozuna Terunofuji beats Wakatakakage handily on Day 3
