Ozeki Kirishima picked up his eighth win on the 10th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, leaving him in a four-way tie for the lead Tuesday.
The Mongolian grappler, previously known as Kiribayama, trounced fourth-ranked maegashira Nishikigi to share the lead at 8-2 with sekiwake Kotonowaka as well as rank-and-filers Atamifuji and Ichiyamamoto at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Kirishima, one of three ozeki, the highest-ranked wrestlers at the tournament due to the continued absence of injury-prone grand champion Terunofuji, knocked Nishikigi (6-4) completely off balance with an opening hit and only needed to push the opponent from behind.
Kirishima is looking for his second career top-division title after winning the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March.
Kotonowaka also secured a winning record with an overarm throw against No. 4 Gonoyama (4-6), while No. 8 Atamifuji bulldozed out No. 6 Shonannoumi (6-4) after slamming his head into the opponent's chest.
No. 14 Ichiyamamoto, who entered the day as the outright leader, lost to No. 11 Hiradoumi (7-3) in their third consecutive head-to-head meeting.
The co-leaders were followed by six wrestlers at 7-3, including the other two ozeki, Takakeisho and Hoshoryu.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Rank-and-file Ichiyamamoto maintains outright lead in Kyushu
Sumo: Asanoyama stuns Takakeisho in return from injury
Sumo: Takakeisho, Kotonowaka beaten on day of upsets in Kyushu
