FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- Grand champion Onosato blew away No. 3 maegashira Hiradoumi to grab the outright lead Friday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, but fellow yokozuna Hoshoryu dropped two bouts off the pace after being caught off guard by former sekiwake Wakamotoharu.

Five-time Emperor's Cup winner Onosato (6-0) heads into the weekend as the only undefeated wrestler through Day 6 of the 15-day competition at Fukuoka Kokusai Center after the other overnight leader, No. 12 maegashira Fujinokawa, fell to 5-1 with his loss to former ozeki Mitakeumi.

Fast-rising Ukrainian sekiwake Aonishiki overcame crowd-pleasing grappler Ura to stay one win off the pace at 5-1, but lone ozeki Kotozakura's struggles continued, with his defeat against Mongolian-born veteran Tamawashi dropping him to 2-4.

Onosato once again appeared completely untroubled by his opposition, blasting Hiradoumi (2-4) backward from the jump and pushing him down unceremoniously.

The 25-year-old powerhouse from Ishikawa Prefecture has so far looked unstoppable in pursuit of his fourth championship of 2025 in the final tournament of the year.

Aiming to stay one win back, Hoshoryu (4-2) fell victim to a "henka" sidestep at the initial charge by No. 2 maegashira Wakamotoharu (2-4), who was credited with a slap down and earned a "kimboshi" gold star for beating the Mongolian-born grand champion.

"I've been getting beaten by his speed a lot recently and I'd thought about many things. I was very nervous as I don't make that many dodging moves," Wakamotoharu said. "Once I'd decided on it, I stuck to it, as changing it again would have made me hesitate and I can't win that way, especially against a yokozuna."

Kotozakura, returning from a knee injury that kept him out of last month's London tour, appeared to lack his usual lower-body power as he was spun around and shoved out from behind by No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi (4-2).

"I don't really remember how it played out, but I got into a good position and reacted to the ozeki," said Tamawashi, the winner of two top-division titles, who turns 41 on Sunday.

Aonishiki rebounded from his Day 5 loss by overpowering No. 3 maegashira Ura (3-3), forcing him over the edge following a furious exchange of blows in the middle.

The two were facing off for the first time in a grand tournament but had met last month in a memorable battle won by the 21-year-old Aonishiki at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Sekiwake Oho climbed to 3-3 by slapping down 22-year-old rising star Hakuoho (2-4), who has started against a tough slate of opponents as he competes at a career-high ranking of No. 1 maegashira.

The 20-year-old Fujinokawa, enjoying his best start to a tournament since debuting in the top division in July, met his match in the form of No. 13 maegashira Mitakeumi, a three-time Emperor's Cup winner, who slapped down the promising youngster to improve to 3-3.