OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Yokozuna Hoshoryu improved to 5-2 at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with a convincing win against No. 3 maegashira Takanosho on Saturday.

The newly promoted grand champion rounded out a challenging first week at Edion Arena Osaka by controlling the distance in a pushing-and-thrusting battle with Takanosho (2-5) and eventually shoving the former sekiwake over the straw bales.

Ozeki Onosato notched an easy victory on Day 7 against No. 2 maegashira Chiyoshoma to stay on top of the leaderboard at 6-1 alongside rank-and-file wrestlers Takayasu and Churanoumi.

The young dynamo stopped Chiyoshoma (3-4) in his tracks and lifted him off balance on the way to a quick force out.

Demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki Kotozakura (4-3) took another step toward the eight wins needed to stay at the second-highest rank when he forced out No. 3 maegashira Tobizaru (1-6).

Initially unable to secure his preferred belt grip, the powerfully built 27-year-old bulldozed Tobizaru over the edge for his first back-to-back wins of the 15-day tournament.

No. 4 maegashira Takayasu held onto his share of the lead by pushing out No. 1 maegashira Wakatakakage (2-5). The 35-year-old former ozeki will next face Hoshoryu, who he has beaten nine times out of their 11 top-division meetings.