Yokozuna Hakuho kept his record perfect with his 11th consecutive win by throwing down sekiwake Takakeisho (8-3), who is aiming for promotion to ozeki, at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on Day 11 on Wednesday.
Takakeisho held his own against the attacks of Hakuho, but succumbed when the yokozuma secured a belt hold and mightily tossed him down to a third defeat.
No. 4 maegashira Ichinojo remained in second place, one win behind Hakuho, by winning a showdown between wrestlers with 9-1 records who tip the scales at combined 424 kilograms, slapped down No. 7 maegashira Aoiyama (9-2) to improve to 10-1.
Yokozuna Kakuryu survived a scare and improved to 9-2 by pulling down sekiwake Tamawashi (4-7), who hit the dirt just milliseconds before the off-balance Kakuryu.
In a showdown of ozeki, Takayasu collected his ninth win by pushing down Tochinoshin, who is competing under kadoban status and fell to 6-5.
The third ozeki, Goeido, also improved to 9-2 by pushing out No.5 maegashira Chiyotairyu (6-5).
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