NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Aonishiki lost to another sekiwake to create a four-way tie for the lead in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday, just a day after clinching his return to the second-highest ranking of ozeki with 10 wins.

Ozeki Kirishima, No. 13 maegashira Takerufuji and No. 14 maegashira Shishi also ended Day 12 with 10-2 records, joining the title race at the IG Arena.

Ukrainian sekiwake Aonishiki, who sustained a right big toe injury in the middle of the 15-day competition, was forced out by sekiwake Kotoshoho (5-7).

The 22-year-old star was demoted from ozeki after pulling out of the entire May tournament due to left ankle issues, but on Wednesday succeeded in grabbing his 10th win of the meet necessary to earn automatic re-promotion.

Kirishima threw down yokozuna Onosato (6-6) in the last bout of the day, while Takerufuji joined the leaderboard by beating No. 7 maegashira Takayasu (9-3).

Shishi, meanwhile, defeated No. 10 maegashira Asanoyama (8-4) by an underarm throw.

No. 7 maegashira Kotoeiho (9-3) dropped one win back from the title race as he was defeated by sekiwake Atamifuji (9-3) in a rematch.

Yokozuna Hoshoryu (7-5) lost to demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki Kotozakura (7-5), who came one step closer to eight wins to keep himself at the second-highest rank.