In the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Hakuho and Miyabiyama exchanged a series of slaps before the grand champion took the No. 2 maegashira down with an arm throw.

Hakuho improved to a perfect 7-0 and has a one-win lead over a group of four wrestlers, including compatriot Asashoryu.

Miyabiyama fell to 2-5.

Grand champion Asashoryu posted an impressive win over Dejima to improve to 6-1.

Asashoryu was pushed back at the faceoff but calmly dodged to his side at the edge and swatted the komusubi out to stay one win off the pace.

Dejima fell to 2-5.

Asashoryu is coming off a two-tournament ban for playing a charity soccer game in Ulan Bator last summer while skipping an exhibition sumo tournament in Japan, but has looked solid over the first week of the tournament.

Lower-ranked wrestlers Kotoshogiku, Takekaze and Kyokutenho also stand at 6-1.

Ozeki Kaio forced out Tochinonada to pick up his fourth win against three losses. No. 3 maegashira Tochinonada was handed his fifth loss against a pair of wins.

Mongolian sekiwake Ama spun Kotomitsuki around before shoving the ozeki out to improve to 4-3. Kotomitsuki lost his third straight and dropped to 3-4.

Top maegashira Tokitenku shoved out struggling ozeki Chiyotaikai to pick up his second win against five losses. Chiyotaikai, who is clearly not fighting up to potential, dropped to 0-7.