Grand Champion Hakuho claimed his 10th win for the sole lead at the July Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday (28 July). The Mongolian-born Hakuho is sitting a win ahead of two wrestlers after the 10th day of the relocated tournament at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan. In the day’s final bout, Hakuho advanced one step closer to his record-extending 45th championship with a quick and easy win over No. 5 Maegashira Hokutofuji (6-4).

Fighting his 1,000th bout as a Yokozuna, Hakuho bulldozed the 157-kilogram Hokutofuji straight off the raised ring in a matter of seconds. Hakuho is the only grand champion competing at the 15-day meet following Kakuryu’s withdrawal after his opening-bout loss. The 35-year-old has been competing at the sport’s highest rank since July 2007.