Sekiwake Hoshoryu and No. 3 maegashira Abi were among the five unbeaten wrestlers after four days at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday.
Hoshoryu, the nephew of former Mongolian great Asashoryu, lost his balance following the opening charge against No. 2 Tamawashi (3-1) but quickly recovered and drove forward immediately en route to a force-out win at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
November's Kyushu meet champion Abi also stayed perfect with an emphatic thrust-out win against sekiwake Shodai (1-3), who suffered a damaging loss in his bid to reclaim his elite ozeki status.
Demoted ahead of the year's first 15-day grand tournament, Shodai can return to the sport's second-highest rank with 10 or more wins here but is already facing a mountain to climb.
No. 8 Onosho, No. 10 Aoiyama and No. 13 Kotoshoho joined Hoshoryu and Abi at 4-0.
Ozeki Takakeisho (3-1), the highest-ranked wrestler at the meet with sole yokozuna Terunofuji out with knee injuries, comfortably pushed out No. 2 Mitakeumi (2-2).
Sekiwake Wakatakakage (2-2) failed to show his trademark tenacity as No. 1 Daieisho (3-1) bulldozed him out in a flash. Sekiwake Takayasu eased to his first win, untroubled by a dodging opening move from tricky No. 1 Tobizaru (1-3).
New komusubi Kotonowaka remains winless after falling to a beltless arm throw from fellow komusubi Kiribayama (3-1).
Komusubi Wakamotoharu secured his first win by quickly forcing out winless komusubi Meisei after judges ordered them to refight their bout. Their first one, a long thrilling affair, ended with both wrestlers touching down simultaneously.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Takakeisho bounces back with win against Daieisho
Sumo: Tobizaru upsets Takakeisho on Day 2 of New Year meet
COVID keeps sumo venue from selling crowd favorite chicken skewers
