Lone ozeki Takakeisho maintained the outright lead Tuesday at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with a solid win over komusubi Meisei.
The highest-ranked rikishi in the absence of grand champion Terunofuji, Takakeisho took another step toward his third Emperor's Cup and a potential yokozuna promotion as he improved to 9-1 on Day 10 at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
As the pair met in the middle, Takakeisho snared Meisei (3-7) by the right arm and tossed him head-first with an arm-lock throw.
No. 8 maegashira Onosho and No. 13 Kotoshoho improved to 8-2 to remain one win off the pace at the 15-day tournament.
Former komusubi Onosho forced out No. 4 Nishikifuji (3-7), while the 23-year-old Kotoshoho secured his first winning record since March by thrusting down No. 7 Ura (6-4) in a rematch of their initial bout.
"I need to do my own sumo on a daily basis. I know everyone says that but that's what I have to do," Kotoshoho said. "I haven't done well lately, so it's good to get the winning record this time."
Sekiwake Hoshoryu (6-4) forfeited his scheduled bout against komusubi Kiribayama (6-4) after spraining his left ankle the previous day but is expected to return on Day 11.
In one of the day's upsets, No. 4 Sadanoumi (3-7) forced out sekiwake Wakatakakage (5-5) to stave off a losing record for the tournament.
Sekiwake Shodai (4-6) continued his battle to stay among the elite "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna, defeating No. 3 Midorifuji (5-5) with an arm barring force out.