The Dewanoumi stable wrestler has a one-win lead over Terunofuji at the midway point.
The No. 3 maegashira knocks the lone grand champion out of the lead with a huge upset.
The Mongolian-born grappler was pushed to the brink by upset-minded Daieisho.
But as history has shown, unexpected challengers can emerge at any time, especially with several outstanding wrestlers coming up the ranks.