Sekiwake Tochinoshin maintained a perfect record on Day 12 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Thursday after earning a career victory against yokozuna Hakuho in a prolonged battle.
In the day's final bout, Tochinoshin, who had never defeated Hakuho in 25 previous meetings, locked up with the Mongolian in the center of the ring before eventually driving him to the bales and powering Hakuho out to hand the yokozuna his second loss of the tournament.
"I feel so great, I'll go into the rest of my matches in the tournament with more spirit," Tochinoshin (12-0) said in a TV interview after the bout.
This win likely locked up a promotion to ozeki for Tochinoshin.
About 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments was the benchmark considered for him to earn a promotion to the ozeki rank. Tochinoshin won the New Year tournament with a 14-1 record and picked up 10 victories at the Spring tournament in March.
He faces No. 4 maegashira Shodai (7-5) today.
Meanwhile, yokozuna Kakuryu beat No. 5 maegashira Ikioi (8-4).
Exchanging powerful slaps after the jump-off, the two zipped around the ring before the Mongolian eventually pushed Ikioi out.
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