FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- Front-running ozeki Hoshoryu and Kotozakura moved into a two-way tie at 11-1 on Thursday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament after fellow overnight leader Takanosho stumbled in his pursuit of a maiden title.

Hoshoryu overwhelmed komusubi Shodai, Kotozakura pushed out sekiwake Daieisho, while sixth-ranked maegashira Takanosho (10-2) was driven over the edge by sekiwake Kirishima on Day 12 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Former ozeki Kirishima (6-6) stayed on the offensive with a barrage of slaps and thrusts to earn a rare victory against former sekiwake Takanosho, who had won 11 of their 13 past meetings in the top division.

With vocal crowd support in his native Kyushu, former ozeki Shodai (4-8) opened with a strong charge but allowed Hoshoryu to take a belt hold that the Mongolian star used to execute a quick force out.

Kotozakura continued his charge toward a breakthrough title at the 15-day tournament by going toe-to-toe with explosive pusher-thruster Daieisho (6-6) and shoving him over the straw bales.

In the day's final bout, new ozeki Onosato (8-4) earned his first top-flight victory over another of sumo's burgeoning talents, March tournament champion Takerufuji, pushing the No. 16 maegashira out after winning their seismic opening collision.

Their only previous match in the elite makuuchi division was won by Takerufuji (8-4) on his way to lifting the Emperor's Cup as a top-flight debutant in Osaka.

Third-ranked maegashira Abi (9-3) stayed two wins back from the leaders while dealing a blow to the title hopes of No. 2 maegashira Wakatakakage (8-4) in a battle of former sekiwake.