Ozeki Hoshoryu defeated new komusubi Onosato at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday, leaving No. 10 maegashira Shonannoumi in the sole lead after 11 days of action.
Onosato (8-3) failed to end his hoodoo against Hoshoryu (7-4), who won the third straight meeting between the pair. The ozeki met almost no resistance in seizing a right underarm belt hold and slamming the prodigy down in short order at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Shonannoumi (9-2) beat fellow overnight leader Takarafuji (8-3) in a matter of seconds, flooring the No. 16 maegashira with an instinctive right armlock throw near the middle of the raised ring.
Ozeki Kotozakura (8-3) was put under pressure against an aggressive No. 5 maegashira Meisei (7-4) but stood his ground near the edge and prevailed with an overarm throw, securing a winning record at the 15-day meet.
No. 1 maegashira Daieisho (8-3) pushed No. 4 maegashira Ura (6-5) around the ring before fending off a counter and winning it with a last-ditch overarm throw to clinch a winning record.
Former ozeki and No. 7 maegashira Mitakeumi triumphed to secure his eighth victory, as did Mongolian-born makuuchi debutant and No. 14 maegashira Oshoma to sit among the six wrestlers one win behind Shonannoumi.
Sekiwake Abi (7-4) pushed out No. 5 maegashira Onosho (4-7), while the other sekiwake, Wakamotoharu (3-5-3), was crushed out by No. 2 maegashira Hiradoumi (5-6).
