Yokozuna Hakuho moved closer to a record-extending 42nd career title with a victory on Saturday, as the door was opened further with yet another high-profile withdrawal at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Hakuho maintained a perfect record through seven days of the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, but needed none of the theatrics that marked several of his earlier victories.
The Mongolian exchanged a few shoves before slapping down No. 3 maegashira Shohozan, an opponent with whom he now has a 15-0 record in career head-to-head matches.
Earlier in the day, komusubi Mitakeumi, regarded as Hakuho's main challenger for the Emperor's Cup, pulled out after suffering a left knee injury in a loss the previous day to fellow komusubi Myogiryu.
Mitakeumi had been unbeaten before that encounter, including victories over the yokozuna pair of Kisenosato and Kakuryu prior to their own departures. Kisenosato retired after losing his first three bouts, and Kakuryu pulled out on Friday with a sprained ankle. Ozeki Tochinoshin also made an early exit due to injury.
Meanwhile, No. 6 maegashira Onosho, the only other undefeated wrestler going into Saturday's action, was pushed out by Brazilian bruiser and No. 8 maegashira Kaisei, leaving both at 6-1.
Both sekiwake, Tamawashi and Takakeisho, remained in contention with solid wins that left both at 5-2.
Tamawashi pushed out No. 1 maegashira Tochiozan -- an opponent to whom he had lost 13 of 15 previous bouts -- while Takakeisho impressively managed to drive back and out 226-kilogram No. 1 maegashira Ichinojo.
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