The 37-year-old Mongolian grappler defeated Takayasu to become the oldest championship winner in the modern era.
The No. 8 maegashira is off to his best start ever and is one win ahead of Tamawashi at the 15-day tournament.
Sumo’s Flying Monkey gave the fans a thrill with the biggest victory of his career on this second day at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The Mongolian is bidding for his eighth Emperor’s Cup and needed all the strength he could muster against the determined komusubi wrestler.
No. 2 maegashira Ichinojo beat Ura in an earlier bout to go one better than the lone grand champion.
Wakatakakage and Takanosho will be looking to challenge the grand champion.
The lone grand champion shrugged off injury concerns and was unbeatable in the second half of the 15-day meet.
If healthy, the lone yokozuna will be the man to beat, but Mitakeumi and Wakatakakage seek to challenge.
The Fukushima native becomes the first new sekiwake in 86 years to claim the championship.
New ozeki Mitakeumi keeps pace along with sekiwake Wakatakakage and rank-and-filer Kotonowaka.
With his third career title, the sekiwake will be considered for promotion to ozeki.
The Dewanoumi stable wrestler has a one-win lead over Terunofuji at the midway point.
