Rank-and-filer Midorifuji held his own against Bulgarian Aoiyama and has a one-win lead at the midway point of the 15-day tournament.
The siblings from Fukushima Prefecture hope to emulate the success that Takanohana and Wakanohana enjoyed as sumo wrestlers over three decades ago.
Lone ozeki Takakeisho comes through with a clutch win against the rank-and-filer on the final day, collecting his first title since November 2020.
Ozeki Takakeisho had his hands full but came out on top on Day 8. Kotoshoho is the other wrestler with seven wins in the 15-day tournament.
With grand champion Terunofuji sidelined with knee injuries, lone ozeki Takakeisho is the tournament's highest-ranked wrestler.
The 37-year-old Mongolian grappler defeated Takayasu to become the oldest championship winner in the modern era.
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.
The grand champion was halted mid-bout, then came back to beat Wakamotoharu in a highly unusual display of sumo.
New ozeki Mitakeumi keeps pace along with sekiwake Wakatakakage and rank-and-filer Kotonowaka.
But as history has shown, unexpected challengers can emerge at any time, especially with several outstanding wrestlers coming up the ranks.
