Ozeki Takakeisho, aiming for his second career title, remained among the leaders heading into the midway point with his sixth victory Saturday at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Takakeisho came out blasting against No. 4 maegashira Yutakayama, but faced stiff resistance as the two exhanged mutual shoves and slaps. When Yutakayama put his foot back in a bid to fend off an attack, it landed outside of the ring to give Takakeisho the victory.
Takakeisho shares the lead at 6-1 with maegashira-ranked wrestlers Tobizaru and Kotoshoho in the tournament that saw the two yokozuna, Hakuho and Kakuryu, withdraw before it started.
The other ozeki, Asanoyama, calmly fended off a side attack from lighter No. 3 maegashira Terutsuyoshi and shoved him off the raised ring to improve to 4-3.
Sekiwake Shodai was knocked out of the lead group when komusubi Okinoumi (2-5) twisted him down. Shodai, who was on the offensive throughout the match before Okinoumi suddenly turned the tide, dropped into a group of nine wrestlers at 5-2.
No. 1 maegashira and former ozeki Terunofuji, winner of the previous tournament in July, remained in the trailing pack one win off the lead when he got komusubi Endo (3-4) turned around at the jump-off and easily marched him out of the ring to improve to 5-2.
Further down the ranks, two newcomers to the uppermost makuuchi division who have been in the spotlight had mixed results.
No. 14 maegashira Tobizaru remained tied for the lead when he used an arm throw to defeat No. 11 maegashira Chiyotairyu to improve to 6-1. By making it to the top division for this tournament, Tobizaru combined with older brother Hidenoumi (currently in the juryo division) as the 11th pair of brothers to reach that level.
Mongolian No. 16 maegashira Hoshoryu, the nephew of former yokozuna Asashoryu, fell to 3-4 when he was thrown down by No. 12 maegashira Kotoshoho, who improved to 6-1.
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