Lone ozeki Takakeisho outmuscled joint overnight leader and problem opponent Abi to grab a share of first place Friday at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
The result leaves eight wrestlers tied for the lead at 5-1 through Day 6 of the 15-day meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan, with Takakeisho the only one from the elite "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna.
The highest-ranked competitor in the absence of recuperating grand champion Terunofuji, Takakeisho avoided his sixth straight defeat to No. 3 maegashira Abi, who won a playoff against the ozeki to claim his first Emperor's Cup in November.
The pair met solidly in an exchange of pushes and thrusts, with Takakeisho using his lower angle of attack to knock Abi off balance before shoving him over the straw.
The two other overnight leaders, No. 10 Aoiyama and No. 13 Kotoshoho, took their first losses, respectively, against No. 8 Onosho and No. 16 Takarafuji, both of whom took a share of the lead at 5-1.
Sekiwake Shodai (2-4) kept alive his slim hopes of reaching the 10 wins needed for automatic promotion back to ozeki by pushing out No. 1 Tobizaru (2-4).
Exciting young Mongolian sekiwake Hoshoryu (4-2) took his second straight loss, succumbing to a thrust down against diminutive No. 3 Midorifuji (4-2). Hoshoryu pinned both of Midorifuji's arms and looked set for victory, but the smaller wrestler doggedly resisted a pair of force-out attempts before executing a reversal with his heels at the straw.
Komusubi Wakamotoharu (3-3) earned a forfeit win against sekiwake Takayasu (1-5), who withdrew from the competition earlier in the day.
Sekiwake Wakatakakage improved to 3-3 by slapping down No. 2 Tamawashi (3-3) after sidestepping his initial charge.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Takayasu, Okinoumi withdraw from New Year meet
Sumo: Abi leads unbeaten maegashira trio atop New Year
Sumo: Hoshoryu, Abi among unbeaten after 4 days at New Year meet
