No. 17 maegashira Takerufuji won his 11th straight bout to begin the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday, matching the record for a top-tier makuuchi-division debutant's perfect start set in January 1960 by legendary yokozuna Taiho.
The 24-year-old Takerufuji defeated his fellow title rival and ozeki Kotonowaka (8-3) at Edion Arena Osaka, moving a step closer to securing a historic title at the 15-day meet.
Takerufuji tied the all-time record since the 15-day tournament format was introduced in 1949, set by the former grand champion Taiho, who went on to win the Emperor's Cup 32 times.
It was new ozeki Kotonowaka, who had a stronger start Wednesday, halting the explosive drive from Takerufuji and slightly knocking the rookie off balance. But Takerufuji shifted his body to his right to recover his footing and seized the moment to charge forward to claim an emphatic force-out win.
"I feel my body is moving well. I'm happy," Takerufuji said. "I want to be a wrestler who not only gets recognized for records but also stays in people's memory."
No. 5 maegashira and another prodigy Onosato (9-2) is the closest to Takerufuji in the title chase after the 23-year-old beat demotion-threatened ozeki Takakeisho (7-4) in another upset.
Takakeisho's opening drive did not have enough to force physically superior Onosato back, and the rank-and-filer went on the attack, shoving the stocky Takakeisho off the raised ring. Takakeisho remains one short of the eight wins he needs to stay at the second-highest rank.
Hoshosyu (8-3) sealed his winning record and stayed in the title contention. The ozeki was forced into making several dodging moves in the face of a flurry of shoves from Daieisho (5-6) but did enough to stay in the fight before thrusting down the sekiwake.
No. 6 maegashira Gonoyama (8-3) and No. 8 maegashira Takayasu (8-3) also won to join Kotonowaka and Hoshoryu in a four-way tie.
Ozeki Kirishima (3-8) fell to a losing record after he was forced out by sekiwake Wakamotoharu (6-5).
Related coverage:
Sumo: Top-division rookie Takerufuji opens up 2-win lead
Sumo: Rookie Takerufuji stays perfect, Onosato a win back in Osaka
Sumo: Rookie Takerufuji keeps outright lead, claims winning record
