Tochinoshin's campaign for promotion to ozeki gained more momentum on Day 11 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament as the sekiwake defeated No. 5 maegashira Kotoshogiku to maintain a perfect record at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Wednesday.
After a strong initial charge, the Georgian secured Kotoshogiku's mawashi with his left hand, and threw the maegashira down in the center of the ring.
Meanwhile, the two yokozuna, Hakuho and Kakuryu, won their matches to stay right behind Tochinoshin at one loss apiece.
Tochinoshin faces yokozuna Hakuho today with an opportunity to make a huge promotion push, but he has never defeated the Mongolian in 25 meetings.
"We have to wait until the last day of the tournament, but the promotion is likely as he is already wrestling like an ozeki," stablemaster Onomatsu, who is in charge of compiling the banzuke rankings, said after Tuesday's action.
Hakuho had an easy bout. He quickly grabbed the belt of No. 4 maegashira Shodai (6-5) with his left hand, and forced the maegashira out with strong footwork.
It was a rather precarious bout for the other yokozuna. Komusubi Mitakeumi (7-4) kept thrusting the yokozuna to the edge of the bales. However, Kakuryu dodged Mitakeumi's last charge and slapped him down.
Popular komusubi Endo (3-8), who returned to the ring after three missed bouts, looked in poor form as No. 1 maegashira Tamawashi (4-7) repeatedly slapped the komusubi and pushed him out the ring.
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