FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- Ozeki Hoshoryu and Kotozakura handled business against rank-and-file opponents Sunday to maintain their share of the lead at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

The two ozeki are in a four-way tie with former sekiwake Takanosho and Mongolian No. 15 maegashira Onokatsu after improving to 7-1 on Day 8 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Mongolian star Hoshoryu bounced back from his first loss with a clinically executed overarm throw against one of his compatriots, No. 4 maegashira Oshoma (2-6).

Kotozakura worked up a sweat in his victory against No. 4 maegashira Churanoumi (2-6), who evaded a force out and looked to counter before eventually succumbing to a twisting overarm throw.

No. 6 maegashira Takanosho secured his spot on the top rung by pushing out ninth-ranked maegashira Midorifuji (3-5) after Onokatsu opened the day's action in the elite makuuchi division with a win against No. 17 maegashira Asakoryu (3-5).

New ozeki Onosato, former sekiwake Abi, top-division returnee Takerufuji and No. 10 maegashira Takarafuji finished the day on the second rung of the leaderboard at 6-2.

May and September tournament winner Onosato made short work of No. 5 maegashira Tobizaru (5-3), blasting him backward off the dohyo with his opening charge.

No. 3 maegashira Abi, who has beaten both Hoshoryu and Onosato at the 15-day tournament, racked up another impressive win as he pushed down second-ranked maegashira Ura (2-6).

No. 16 maegashira Takerufuji (6-2) pushed out veteran No. 13 maegashira Ryuden (2-6). The 25-year-old is contesting his second top-flight meet, having won his makuuchi debut tournament in March before dropping down the rankings due to a leg injury.