Former ozeki Terunofuji moved a step closer to capping an already miraculous comeback with an unlikely tournament title when the No. 17 maegashira won a showdown on Friday with current ozeki Asanoyama to take the lead at the July Grand Sumo Tournament with two days to go.
With yokozuna Hakuho dropping out of the tournament earlier in the day due to a knee injury, the clash between Terunofuji and Asanoyama was billed as the ostensible "championship match" as the two entered the day with 11-1 records, two wins ahead of their closest competition at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
In their first career meeting, the two grabbed mutual belt holds at the jump-off. Terunofuji then stood his ground as Asanoyama attempted a hip throw, then used the opening to press forward and force him out of the ring.
Now 12-1, Terunofuji can clinch his second career title in the uppermost makuuchi division on Saturday with the combination of a victory over sekiwake Shodai and a loss by Asanoyama to No. 7 maegashira Terutsuyoshi.
Terunofuji has only returned to the makuuchi division after plunging as far as the jonidan division -- the second lowest -- due to a spate of injuries and illnesses. While many expected him to retire, he made a determined and historic climb back up the ranks.
Only two other wrestlers -- the sekiwake pair of Mitakeumi and Shodai -- are mathematically still in the race of the title, but with three losses each, the best they can hope for is to force a playoff on the final day.
For that to happen, Terunofuji would have to lose both of his remaining bouts. Of course, if that happens, Asanoyama can still sneak away with the title by winning his last two matches, or get into the playoff himself by winning one of two.
Shodai received the forfeit from Ha- kuho to improve to 10-3, while Mitakeumi slapped down No. 4 maegashira Kagayaki for win No. 10.
Along with Terunofuji, there are three other former ozeki in the makuuchi division, and all three have now clinched winning records. No. 11 maegashira Tochinoshin and No. 13 maegashira Takayasu both picked up their eighth wins on Friday, while No. 14 maegashira Kotoshogiku did it on the 11th day.
Knee injury KOs Hakuho
Earlier, it was announced that Hakuho had withdrawn due to a knee injury suffered while being dealt his second loss of the tournament by sekiwake Mitakeumi.
"I will find the treatment for this new injury that best fits my body to get back into the ring as soon as possible," said Hakuho, who is expected to need two weeks of treatment.
In Thursday's match, Hakuho had Mitakeumi backed up to the edge when the sekiwake suddenly executed a last-ditch, twisting throw. That sent an extended Hakuho sailing to the dirt and, as he landed, his lower right leg slammed hard against the straw bale at the edge.
Having been knocked off the dohyo, he noticeably limped as he walked around it back to his side.
Hakuho, the all-time leader in career titles, had started the tournament with 10 straight wins before being handed two straight losses. His withdrawal left the tourney with no yokozuna entering the final three days, as Kakuryu pulled out on the second day.
Hakuho turned 35 in March, when he won the Spring Grand Tournament for his record 44th career title. It was the first time for the aging superstar to pull out during a tournament since the New Year tourney in January due to a back sprain.
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