Lone yokozuna Terunofuji continued his recovery from an opening-day loss by winning his third bout in a row on Wednesday, the fourth day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Terunofuji, who started his bid for an eighth Emperor's Cup with an upset loss to komusubi Abi, improved to 3-1 by securing a powerful "tottari" arm bar throw victory over No. 2 maegashira Kotonowaka (2-2) in the day's final bout at the 7,448 capacity Dolphins Arena.
Meanwhile, ozeki Shodai (1-3), one of two wrestlers who need at least eight wins to avoid demotion from the sport's second-highest rank, scored his first win after a long back and forth battle against komusubi Hoshoryu (1-3).
Mitakeumi (2-2), the other relegation-threatened kadoban ozeki, needed just a few seconds to drive No. 1 maegashira Kiribayama (2-2) to the dirt.
The third ozeki, Takakeisho (2-2), allowed his opponent Ichinojo (4-0) to get a solid two-handed grasp on his mawashi and force him out of the ring.
"I'm in the groove so I'm letting my body move naturally. I couldn't compete in the last tournament so I'm eager to do well here," said Ichinojo, who fights Terunofuji on Day 5.
Ichinojo tested positive for the coronavirus shortly before the May tournament in Tokyo, where Terunofuji won his seventh makuuchi division title.
At the third-highest rank of sekiwake, Daieisho (2-2) beat No. 1 maegashira Takanosho (1-3), but Wakatakakage (1-3) was driven out of the ring backwards by Abi (3-1), who locked his arms around his opponent's neck and ended up crashing down on top of him.
Ichinojo and two others are tied for the lead at 4-0. No. 13 maegashira Ichiyamamoto slapped down on No. 11 Kotoshoho's (2-2) back and forced him to the ground for his fourth straight win.
In a bout between 3-0 rank-and-filers, Nishikigi survived a close call against Aoiyama to remain perfect.
Third-ranked maegashira Tamawashi (3-1) was tagged with his first loss when he was shoved out of the ring with both hands by fifth-ranked Sadanoumi (1-3), nearly crushing the front-row spectators.
It is the first time in two and a half years a grand sumo tournament is being held with no coronavirus-related spectator capacity cap.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Terunofuji edges Takanosho for 2nd win as Shodai, Mitakeumi lose
Sumo: Terunofuji earns 1st win as Shodai loses again in Nagoya
Sumo: Abi upsets Terunofuji on opening day of Nagoya meet
