Rank-and-filer Hokutofuji grabbed the outright lead Friday at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after joint overnight leader Nishikigi incurred a second straight loss at the hands of 19-year-old rookie sensation Hakuoho.
Sekiwake Hoshoryu, meanwhile, stayed in the title race and maintained his bid for ozeki promotion by defeating Mongolian compatriot Kirishima, the only current holder of sumo's second-highest rank competing at the 15-day meet.
No. 9 maegashira Hokutofuji ensured his name stayed on the top rung of the leaderboard on Day 13 at Dolphins Arena by forcing out No. 16 Endo and improving to 11-2.
Tilting at his maiden top-division crown, the 31-year-old former komusubi grabbed Endo (8-5) as he came charging in low and quickly ushered him outside the straw.
Hoshoryu (10-3) secured a strong belt grip at the jump and used it to force out newly promoted ozeki Kirishima (6-5-2), who must win his remaining two bouts to avoid demotion-threatened "kadoban" status at the next meet.
"I was able to get the upper hand first, so I'm glad that it really paid off," Hoshoryu said. "I'm not thinking about it (the title race). I'm just worried about winning one bout at a time."
A day after his upset loss to No. 14 Shonannoumi (9-4), No. 1 Nishikigi (10-3) was pitted against another impressive rookie in the form of No. 17 Hakuoho, who has beaten a succession of seasoned veterans on his way to a 10-3 record that sees him in title contention in his top-division debut.
Using his strong lower body, Nishikigi took Hakuoho to the edge but could not get the powerfully built teenager over the straw. The pair locked into a stalemate that was broken when the protege of former yokozuna Hakuho executed an inside leg trip that left Nishikigi pancaked beneath him.
In one of the day's headline bouts, Wakamotoharu (9-4) slapped down fellow sekiwake Daieisho (8-5) moments before stepping outside. While the pair also started the tournament in contention for ozeki promotion, both will fall short of the key benchmark of 33 wins over three straight meets as a sekiwake or komusubi.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Nishikigi gets shock loss, Hokutofuji rejoins at top in Nagoya
Sumo: Hokutofuji loses, Nishikigi takes sole lead in Nagoya
Sumo: Nishikigi, Hokutofuji remain in Nagoya lead as Hoshoryu falls
