Yokozuna Hakuho is on the verge of winning the Emperor's Cup after defeating fellow yokozuna Kisenosato on Day 13 of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Friday.
Hakuho, the sole leader of the basho, can secure his record-extending 41st career championship -- and first tournament title since the Kyushu basho last year -- with a victory over ozeki Goeido today.
Hakuho showed his stability and seized the advantage by grabbing Kisenosato's belt with both hands. Hakuho took his opponent to the bales and pushed him out in their first matchup since Kisenosato (9-4) earned a promotion to yokozuna.
In the final bout, yokozuna Kakuryu and Goeido -- both two losses behind Hakuho after Day 12 -- faced off. After a false start, the ozeki quickly sent the yokozuna out, knocking him out of the title race.
Ozeki Takayasu maintained his composure, pushing out No. 4 maegashira Abi (6-7). The ozeki also has two losses.
Meanwhile, ozeki Tochinoshin, who is under "kadoban" status that requires him to collect a majority of wins in the 15-day tourney to retain his rank, suffered his sixth loss. He went down to No. 3 maegashira Shodai (6-7), who tenaciously resisted the ozeki's attack and eventually threw him to the surface.
Sekiwake Mitakeumi (7-6), whose quest to earn a promotion to the ozeki rank during this basho is in serious jeopardy, halted a losing streak at five by pushing out No. 5 maegashira Myogiryu.
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