Sixth-ranked maegashira Meisei claimed a resounding win over Terunofuji on Monday, joining the lone grand champion and No. 14 Asanoyama in the leading pack after nine days of action at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
Meisei (8-1) opened with a strong charge, got a right underarm belt hold and made a relentless attempt to swing around Terunofuji (8-1), who could only get his body position right at the edge of Ryogoku Kokugikan's raised ring and was powerlessly forced out to his first loss.
"I don't remember much," said Meisei after securing his winning record. "The yokozuna is big, and attacking him from the side was something I had in mind."
"I'm really glad to have beaten the yokozuna I look up to."
Terunofuji lost for the first time this month after missing the last three meets following knee surgeries in October.
Asanoyama (8-1) was tested by Ryuden (3-6), who was faster in getting a belt hold and matched the power of the former ozeki. But Asanoyama eventually managed to reach the No. 10's belt with both his hands before crushing him out to secure a winning record.
Demotion-threatened ozeki Takakeisho (6-3) failed to show his powerful drive and was forced out by No. 4 Nishikigi (3-6) as he remains two wins away from retaining his place in the sport's second-highest rank.
Sekiwake Kiribayama (7-2), seeking promotion to ozeki with 10 or more wins this month, was forced backward by sekiwake Daieisho (6-3), but the Spring meet champion snatched a win with a timely thrust-down.
Wakamotoharu (7-2) defeated fellow sekiwake Hoshoryu (6-3) with a twisting backward knee trip.
