Wins by his closest rivals kept yokozuna Hakuho from bringing the title race to an early end, but his own victory left no more margin for error from the competition.
Hakuho moved closer to a record-extending 43rd career title when he flung aside komusubi Abi on Friday to notch his 12th win after 13 days of action at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka.
Hakuho could have clinched the title outright had komusubi Asanoyama and No. 10 maegashira Shodai both lost prior to his victory, but the two kept their slim hopes alive with victories.
A win on Saturday by Hakuho over sekiwake Mitakeumi -- who is struggling to achieve a majority of wins after winning the previous Autumn basho -- or losses by the two trailers will give the yokozuna the Emperor's Cup with a day to spare. At worst, the title will come down to a playoff.
Hakuho on Friday went for the belt against Abi, and when the komusubi broke the hold as they rotated to the side, the yokozuna launched a mighty shove. That was meant only to set up Abi for the final kill, but was enough to launch him over the edge and drop him to 7-6.
Hakuho entered the match with a rare losing record (1-2) against Abi, although one of those losses was an injury forfeit at the previous tournament, from which the Mongolian great pulled out after two days. Hakuho's only title in an injury-plagued year came in March.
Earlier, Asanoyama, winner of the Summer tournament in May as a No. 8 maegashira, came out on top in a slapping exchange with No. 4 maegashira Kotoyuki, eventually shoving him out to improve to 10-3.
Shodai remained mathematically in the running by notching his 10th win with a victory over No. 6 maegashira Enho -- a Miyagino stablemate of Hakuho's (they share the kanji character for "ho").
The scrappy 98-kilogram Enho went in low against Shodai, who stood his ground as he reached over the back to grab Enho's belt. Then, like a bully on the playground, he just lifted Endo up, turned and unceremoniously deposited him out of ring.
Meanwhile, ozeki Takakeisho, who has already assured he will remain in the second-highest rank that he regained for this tournament, shoved out Mitakeumi (6-7) for his ninth win. Mitakeumi dropped to 6-7, meaning his rank will be on the line when he faces Hakuho.
The two other komusubi, Hokutofuji and Endo, who both started the day with 5-7 records, had mixed results. Endo forced out No. 3 maegashira Takarafuji, while Hokutofuji was dealt his makekoshi eighth loss when he was turned around by No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi, allowing him to be easily nudged over the edge.
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