FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- Yokozuna Onosato stayed in the outright lead Saturday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament by toppling rank-and-file opponent Ura and extending his perfect start to 7-0.

Having barely broken a sweat through the first six days, Onosato looked momentarily challenged as acrobatic No. 3 maegashira Ura (3-4) attacked from a low angle before the five-time Emperor's Cup winner wrapped up the contest with a twisting overarm throw.

The other grand champion, Hoshoryu, bounced back from his previous day's upset with a hard-fought win against veteran Tamawashi, but beleaguered ozeki Kotozakura slumped to his third straight loss courtesy of No. 2 maegashira Wakamotoharu on Day 7 of the 15-day tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Prodigious Ukrainian sekiwake Aonishiki, meanwhile, worked hard to defeat komusubi Takayasu and keep his place on the second rung of the leaderboard alongside two up-and-coming maegashira, fifth-ranked Yoshinofuji and 12th-ranked Fujinokawa, at 6-1.

Hoshoryu (5-2), who fell victim to a "henka" sidestep against Wakamotoharu on Day 6, was denied a belt grip by No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi (4-3) and traded blows with his fellow Mongolian-born grappler before eventually forcing him over the straw bales.

Kotozakura (2-5), competing in questionable health after being sidelined with a knee issue, had early momentum against former sekiwake Wakamotoharu (3-4) but succumbed to an overarm throw at the edge.

"I used to be in the 'sanyaku' ranks, so I should be able to compete at that level," said Wakamotoharu, referring to the three distinguished ranks below yokozuna.

The 21-year-old Aonishiki stayed in the hunt for a maiden Emperor's Cup with an impressive win against former ozeki Takayasu (4-3), showing strength and agility to force out his veteran opponent after being taken to the edge.

Sekiwake Oho (3-4) continued his up-and-down meet with a push-down loss to former ozeki Kirishima (4-3), currently ranked as a No. 2 maegashira.

The 24-year-old Yoshinofuji, previously known as Kusano, forced out No. 3 maegashira Hiradoumi (2-5), while the 20-year-old Fujinokawa pushed down No. 9 maegashira Tobizaru (3-4).