Sekiwake Tochinoshin has final positive balance 7 rounds before the end of the tournament. In the 8th round Levan Gorgadze beat sekiwake Ichinojo and is still a leader in the fight for the Emperor’s Cup. The Georgian is one point ahead of yokozuna Hakuho, yokozuna Kakuryu and the 11th maegashira Chiyonokuni.
In the 9th round Tochinoshin will face the third maegashira Daieisho.
