Sole yokozuna Terunofuji kept his place among the leading pack at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday with a hard-fought win over rank-and-file grappler Endo.
Gunning for his second straight Emperor's Cup and eighth overall, the Mongolian-born grand champion improved to 7-2 by pushing out No. 5 maegashira Endo (2-7) in the final bout of Day 9 at Nagoya's Dolphins Arena.
Terunofuji kept his composure after being driven all the way back to the edge by Endo, wrenching the maegashira off balance and shoving him out of the dohyo.
Terunofuji is tied for the lead at the 15-day tournament with five other wrestlers including Ichinojo and Kotonowaka, both No. 2 maegashira.
Rising star Kotonowaka notched an impressive force-out victory over sekiwake Wakatakakage, winner of the March grand tournament.
Wakatakakage (5-4) drove Kotonowaka to the edge before the 24-year-old thoroughbred forced the action back across the ring and hoisted his opponent out.
Towering former sekiwake Ichinojo used his 192-centimeter, 211-kilogram frame to force out No. 1 Kiribayama (3-6).
Ozeki Takakeisho barely broke a sweat as he improved to 6-3 with a slap-down win over No. 4 Wakamotoharu (4-5).
The maegashira, who gave Terunofuji a scare a day earlier, lost his footing as he flew out of the blocks and was easily brushed to the clay by the ozeki.
Demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki Shodai took another step toward the eight wins needed to keep his rank, thrusting down komusubi Abi.
Abi (5-4) delivered the stronger opening hit and thrust Shodai (5-4) back to the straw, but the ozeki kept his footing and used his forearm to shove the komusubi to the sandy surface.
Sekiwake Daieisho improved to 5-4 with a slap-down victory over No. 3 Ura (4-5). The one-time Emperor's Cup winner dragged the dangerous maegashira to the clay as he attempted to take an inside grip.
Komusubi Hoshoryu (5-4) pushed out No. 3 Tamawashi (3-6), delivering a strong opening hit and quickly driving his Mongolian compatriot from the ring.
No. 6 Tobizaru, No. 8 Nishikigi and No. 17 Nishikifuji all maintained a share of the lead by improving to 7-2.
No. 13 Ichiyamamoto (6-3), one of the joint overnight leaders, was among the latest group of wrestlers to withdraw from the meet Monday after a member of his Hanaregoma stable tested positive for the coronavirus.
Demotion-threatened ozeki Mitakeumi (2-5-2) pulled out on Saturday after a positive COVID-19 case was reported at his Dewanoumi stable.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Terunofuji survives scare to join Nagoya leaders
Sumo: Shodai ends Ichinojo's perfect run after 7 days at Nagoya
Sumo: Ichinojo brushes aside Mitakeumi to remain perfect in Nagoya
