New komusubi Onosato underlined his championship credentials with an impressive victory over ozeki Kotozakura at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.
The 23-year-old rising star stayed one bout off the pace at 5-1 by winning the battle between two of the top division's most powerfully built wrestlers on Day 6 at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Following a heavy collision, Onosato used his upper body to force Kotazakura (4-2) over the edge sideways before the ozeki could make use of a belt hold.
"My body moved well and I was able to fight more or less the way I planned," said Onosato, who is aiming to win his maiden Emperor's Cup at a record pace. "I'm just concentrating on each bout, one day at a time."
Fourth-ranked maegashira Ura (6-0) stands alone as the only unbeaten wrestler at the 15-day tournament after handing seventh-ranked Mitakeumi (5-1) his first loss. The former komusubi cleverly executed a pulling overarm throw after being driven back to the edge by former ozeki Mitakeumi.
Ozeki Hoshoryu (4-2) forced out No. 3 maegashira Tobizaru (2-4) to log his fourth straight win after starting the meet with back-to-back losses.
Demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki Kirishima (1-5) continued to look out of sorts as he lost to No. 4 maegashira Oho (2-4) by hand pull-down.
Both sekiwake were among the day's losers, with Abi (3-3) thrust down by No. 2 maegashira Hiradoumi (2-4) and Wakamotoharu (3-3) falling in similar fashion to top-ranked maegashira Daieisho (5-1).
The May tournament is missing several big names through injury, including lone yokozuna Terunofuji, ozeki Takakeisho and March tournament winner Takerufuji.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Onosato consigns struggling ozeki Kirishima to 4th defeat
Sumo: Young gun Atamifuji too strong for ozeki Kirishima on Day 3
Sumo: Takayasu shows veteran savvy to take down young star Onosato
