Ozeki Terunofuji finished the first week of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with a perfect 7-0 record. The sole overnight leader remained the only undefeated wrestler through seven days at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan, where entry is capped at 5,000 fans per day under the ongoing coronavirus state of emergency.

Gunning for his second consecutive Emperor’s Cup, Terunofuji continued his imposing run at the 15-day meet by dispatching Takanosho (3-4) with a slap down.

The 29-year-old Mongolian maintained his composure and momentum after Takanosho fended off his opening attempt at a belt grip and wrenched the sekiwake to the clay. Terunofuji has now won 12 straight bouts, since Day 11 of March’s Spring tourney.

One of four ozeki sharing top billing in the absence of injured grand champion Hakuho, Terunofuji has stood head and shoulders above the other wrestlers at sumo’s second-highest rank in the first week of competition. Winning a fourth top-level championship here would continue a remarkable comeback story for the powerfully built grappler, whose victory in March clinched his promotion back to ozeki.He previously held the rank in September 2017, before debilitating injuries to both knees saw him plummet as low as the fifth-tier Jonidan Division.