A wave of seven more coronavirus withdrawals hit the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday, when yokozuna Terunofuji easily wrapped up his 11th win to remain in the lead with No. 2 maegashira Ichinojo.
Japan Sumo Association rules require every member of a stable with one reported coronavirus case to withdraw from competition.
In the final bout of the 13th day at Dolphins Arena, Terunofuji shrugged off sekiwake Wakatakakage's opening belt hold and thrust him from the ring to his sixth defeat.
A seven-time grand tournament champion, Terunofuji improved to 10-1 in his career against Wakatakakage. The yokozuna's only loss to him came in September 2020, when as a No. 1 maegashira, Terunofuji withdrew hurt and lost by default.
Ichinojo improved to 11-2 by default after No. 8 Nishikigi's Isenoumi stable pulled out of the tournament and he ended the meet with an 8-5 record.
Takakeisho remained one win off the pace at 10-3 by knocking fellow ozeki Shodai (8-5) sideways with a couple of powerful shoves to the throat before pushing him out.
Shodai's loss came a day after he secured his spot at the sport's second highest rank for the next tournament with his eighth win.
Komusubi Hoshoryu (8-5), the nephew of former Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu, showed a little of his uncle's infamous petulance as he dragged out the start of his bout against No. 4 Wakamotoharu (5-8) for nearly 10 seconds.
Once it started, however, Hoshoryu finished off the maegashira in seconds with a slick beltless arm throw.
Komusubi Abi (7-6) easily handled the charge of No. 7 Hokutofuji (6-7), who lost his balance and stumbled forward onto the dohyo.
Sekiwake Daieisho (6-7) was one of five Oitekaze stable wrestlers who dropped out.
Oitekaze's Tobizaru (8-5) pulled out of his bout with Nishikifuji. The No. 17 maegashira, competing in his first tournament in sumo's top flight, improved to 9-4 thanks to his second win by default.
No. 15 Oho (8-5), the son of former sekiwake Takatoriki and grandson of the late Taiho, one of sumo's greatest grand champions, earned his first winning record in the elite makuuchi division by holding off No. 12 Terutsuyoshi (5-8).
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