Kakuryu edged closer to clinching the title at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament as the basho's lone yokozuna defeated No. 6 maegashira Kaisei in the final bout of Day 13 in Osaka on Friday.
Kakuryu (12-1) slapped down Kaisei in quick fashion just after the jump-off, handing the Brazilian-born wrestler his third loss.
Kakuryu leads a three-loss trio -- ozeki Takayasu, Kaisei and No. 14 maegashira Ikioi -- with two days remaining.
If Kakuryu defeats ozeki Goeido (9-4) today, the yokozuna can clinch his first Emperor's Cup in eight tournaments, and fourth overall.
In a duel between the ozeki, who started the day two losses behind the yokozuna, Takayasu (10-3) slapped down Goeido at the edge of the ring to escape his hard-charging opponent, whose strong pushes appeared to have him in control of the bout.
Sekiwake Tochinoshin (8-5) couldn't fight off No. 4 maegashira Shodai (7-6), who pushed him out.
Komusubi Chiyotairyu was saddled with his 10th loss as No. 7 maegashira Abi slapped him down to post his kachikoshi eighth win.
In other bouts, Ikioi pushed out No. 10 maegashira Chiyonokuni to hold his ground. No. 13 maegashira Daishomaru suffered his fourth loss of the basho when No. 10 maegashira Chiyoshoma (7-6) threw him to the surface.
Popular No. 1 maegashira Endo defeated No. 5 maegashira Chiyomaru (6-7) for his kachikoshi eighth win.
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