Goeido escaped from kadoban status on Wednesday to hold his ozeki rank at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament by posting his eighth win, taking down No. 5 maegashira Daishomaru.
Goeido needed a majority of wins to keep his rank, and he met almost no resistance from Daishomaru (3-8), whom he pushed down outside the ring just after the jump-off.
Meanwhile, basho leader sekiwake Mitakeumi stayed perfect by quickly taking care of No. 4 maegashira Kaisei (7-4). Mitakeumi, who had not beaten the burly Brazilian in four previous meetings, showed off his strength by pushing the maegashira out.
Two lower-ranked wrestlers are on the heels of Mitakeumi with two losses apiece. They both won as No. 13 Asanoyama forced out No. 10 maegashira Nishikigi (5-6), while No. 13 maegashira Tochiozan pushed out No. 6 maegashira Chiyotairyu (7-4).
Takayasu (7-4), the other ozeki who is also under kadoban status, stumbled and lost to sekiwake Ichinojo.
Takayasu and Ichinojo exchanged slaps in efforts to get belt holds, but the ozeki succumbed to the power of the massive Ichinojo (5-6).
Earlier in the day, No. 1 maegashira Kotoshogiku withdrew from the tournament one day after injuring his arm in his loss to Tamawashi.
He joins three yokozuna and an ozeki on the sidelines.
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