Tamawashi stayed one win clear of his nearest rivals at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday after comfortably beating fellow title contender Nishikifuji.

The No. 3 maegashira from Mongolia, who won his only Emperor's Cup in January 2019, improved to 11-2 by thrusting down No. 10 Nishikifuji (9-4).

No. 4 Takayasu and No. 8 Hokutofuji are second on the leaderboard at 10-3 after winning their respective matches on Day 13 of the 15-day competition at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Veteran former sekiwake Tamawashi stayed in control against Nishikifuji, deflecting his initial charge and shoving him to the clay with a hand to the back of the neck.

Tamawashi defeats Nishikifuji on the 13th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 23, 2022. (Kyodo)

Former ozeki Takayasu made short work of komusubi Kiribayama (7-6), while former komusubi Hokutofuji snapped a three-match losing streak by beating No. 1 Tobizaru (9-4), who also started the day tied for second.

Sekiwake Wakatakakage, a first-time champion in March, stayed in the hunt at 9-4 by slapping down ozeki Takakeisho (8-5).

Rising star Hoshoryu (7-6) closed in on a winning record in his first tourney at sekiwake after throwing No. 4 Nishikigi (5-8), while fellow sekiwake Daieisho (5-8) is set for demotion following his eighth loss against No. 6 Wakamotoharu (8-5).

Ozeki Mitakeumi (4-9), who will be demoted to sekiwake for the next meet, and Shodai, who will compete as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki, squared off in the day's penultimate bout, with Shodai (3-10) winning by push out.

Hokutofuji defeats Tobizaru on the 13th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 23, 2022. (Kyodo)

Related coverage:

Sumo: Terunofuji out of Autumn meet with injuries to both knees

Sumo: Former yokozuna Hakuho to hold retirement ceremony in January