Sekiwake Tochinoshin on Friday suffered his first loss -- and surrendered sole possession of the lead -- after 12 consecutive wins at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
As Georgia's national flag went up among the cheering onlookers, the sekiwake went down to No. 4 maegashira Shodai (8-5) in a ferocious battle. Shodai pulled Tochinoshin down near the bales, and the sekiwake's right hand touched down as he went diving outside the ring.
In the day's final bout, yokozuna Kakuryu (12-1) forced out massive sekiwake Ichinojo to keep his one-loss record and grab a share of the lead.
In the penultimate bout, yokozuna Hakuho (11-2) battled past No. 5 maegashira Ikioi, making a deft move near the bales and throwing down the maegashira.
Kakuryu and Tochinoshin go head-to-head today, with Hakuho one loss back. Tochinoshin's winning streak to start the basho makes his promotion to the ozeki rank almost certain.
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