FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- The Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament went from two unbeaten leaders to four with one loss on the seventh day, Saturday, when ozeki Hoshoryu slipped to his first defeat.

Hoshoryu, unbeaten through the first six days along with fellow Mongolian No. 15 maegashira Onokatsu, was beaten so badly on the opening charge by Abi (5-2) that he barely had time to rise and meet his opponent.

After being rocked back by the No. 3 maegashira, Hoshoryu's left foot slipped on the sandy surface when he tried to drive forward and he crashed awkwardly.

With yokozuna Terunofuji absent due to injury, the focus at the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center has been on Hoshoryu and his fellow ozeki, Onosato and Kotozakura.

Kotozakura pulled into a share of the lead at 6-1 when, with one heel up against the straw bales, he snatched an overarm hold and threw Atamifuji (4-3) after the No. 3 maegashira had been in control from the get-go.

New ozeki Onosato (5-2) survived a challenge from quick and tricky Ura (2-5). The No. 2 maegashira got on the ozeki's flank but was under constant pressure from the jump, had no leeway to effectively employ any of his numerous tricks and was shoved out.

Twenty-four-year-old Onokatsu had no answer for Takerufuji (5-2), whose March makuuchi debut saw him lift the Emperor's Cup trophy and suffer a knee injury.

When Onokatsu was unable to knock his 25-year-old opponent to one side on his charge, he found himself moving in reverse, never recovered and was forced backward over the straw bales.

No. 6 maegashira Takanosho bounced back from his first loss on Friday, easily forcing out No. 7 Mitakeumi (5-2) to join the leaders at 6-1.

Evergreen No. 11 maegashira Tamawashi celebrated his 40th birthday with his fourth win, over No. 9 Midorifuji (3-4).