TOKYO - Ozeki Kirishima and No. 13 maegashira Kotoeiho remained atop the leaderboard at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday, while struggling ozeki Kotozakura withdrew on Day 12.
No. 15 maegashira Tobizaru suffered a costly defeat, dropping into a tie for second place at 9-3 with three other wrestlers at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
A day after his losing record was confirmed, Kotozakura pulled out of the 15-day tournament with a back issue, joining an absentee list featuring yokozuna Onosato and Hoshoryu, as well as Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki.
Kotozakura (3-9) is set to enter the next tournament in Nagoya in July as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki.
Former ozeki Asanoyama (7-5) also sat out Thursday, the No. 10 maegashira handing 22-year-old Kotoeiho (10-2) a default victory that kept him tied for the lead.
Kirishima (10-2), now the lone wrestler still competing from the top two ranks, slapped down new sekiwake Kotoshoho (7-5) in the final bout of the day after withstanding his repeated charges.
Former komusubi Tobizaru was forced out by No. 2 maegashira Yoshinofuji (9-3), the former collegiate star keeping alive his campaign for a maiden Emperor's Cup.
Komusubi Wakatakakage and No. 11 maegashira Ura both improved to 9-3 with victories over fellow title contenders, No. 4 maegashira Gonoyama and No. 17 maegashira Fujiryoga, respectively, who both fell to 8-4.
No. 10 maegashira Hakunofuji (8-4) lost to No. 3 maegashira Oho (6-6) by an overarm throw, falling a step behind in the championship race.
