NAGOYA, Japan — Grand champion Hakuho overpowered Toyonoshima on Sunday to maintain his perfect record close in on victory at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

The Mongolian wasted little time in getting a grip of Toyonoshima's belt and driving the komusubi out in the day's final bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium to improve to 8-0. Toyonoshima dropped to 4-4.

Hakuho is bidding for his seventh Emperor's Cup and, with main rival and compatriot Asashoryu out injured, is the odds-on favorite in the 15-day tourney.

In other major bouts, Mongolian Ama improved to 7-1 when he got both arms around Kisenosato and waltzed the komusubi out to his sixth loss against a pair of wins.

Ozeki Kotomitsuki also improved to 7-1 when No. 4 maegashira Wakanosato inexplicably lost his footing at the end of the bout.

Wakanosato pushed Kotomitsuki to the edge after the faceoff but suddenly lost his footing and touched the dirt surface with his left knee to fall to 4-4.

Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu forced out No. 3 maegashira Tochinonada to improve to 5-3. Tochinonada dropped to 3-5.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai used his trademark arm thrusts to send Futeno toppling off the straw ridge to pick up his sixth win against a pair of losses. Futeno has just one win with seven losses.

Sekiwake Kotoshogiku forced out Wakanoho to pick up his fourth win against four losses. Top maegashira Wakanoho dropped to 0-8 and is ensured of a losing record.

Ozeki Kaio posted a hard-fought win over top maegashira Aminishiki to improve to 5-3. Aminishiki pushed Kaio to the edge of the ring several times before being overpowered to drop to 3-5.