With the Emperor and Empress in attendance, yokozuna Hakuho showed yet again how he has long reigned as king of the sumo ring.
Hakuho sent No. 5 maegashira Aoiyama for a spin, hurling the burly Bulgarian down to keep his record perfect through eight days of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
On the jump-off, Hakuho found the going tough trying to move the 198-kilogram Aoiyama, who eventually moved in for a belt hold and started pressing forward. But the yokozuna stepped to the side, hooked an arm and sent Aoiyama spinning to the surface to improve to 19-1 in career head-to-head meetings and stay on pace for a record-extending 42nd career title.
Three maegashira-ranked wrestlers were tied for second place at 7-1, while the sekiwake pair of Takakeisho and Tamawashi both won to remain in contention two wins off the lead.
Takakeisho had No. 6 maegashira Onosho moving backward when the maegashira tried to slip to the side. But Takakeisho kept his base and charged ahead, forcing Onosho out to leave both wrestlers at 6-2.
Facing ozeki Goeido, Tamawashi was forced to the edge, but perfectly timed a side-step and arm throw that sent Goeido plummeting onto his belly for his fifth loss.
Ozeki Takayasu (4-4) dropped further off the pace when he was duped on the jump-off by a side-stepping No. 3 maegashira Shohozan and quickly flopped to his hands and knees.
Brazilian No. 8 maegashira Kaisei, who took a steep drop from komusubi for this tournament, used dexterity belying his 204-kilogram frame to defeat No. 4 maegashira Kotoshogiku and improve to 7-1.
Pushed the edge, Kaisei managed to keep his balance as he twisted to the side and forced Kotoshogiku down for just his second victory in 12 career meetings between the two.
Two other maegashira-ranked wrestlers, No. 13 Yago and No. 15 Chiyonokuni, both won to also end the day at 7-1.
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