NAGOYA, Japan — Grand champion Hakuho won his bout at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday to secure his seventh Emperor's Cup.

The Mongolian fought off several arm thrusts from ozeki Kaio and then calmly forced his opponent out to improve to 13-0 and wrap up the title with two days left in the 15-day competition at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.

Kaio dropped to 8-5.

With Mongolian compatriot and grand champion Asashoryu absent after pulling out with injuries a week ago, Hakuho faced little resistance in the Nagoya meet.

In an earlier bout, ozeki Kotomitsuki had temporarily kept his slim title hopes alive with a hard-fought win over Miyabiyama to improve to 10-3. Miyabiyama, a No. 5 maegashira, fell to 7-6.

Now, all Kotomitsuki can shoot for is a chance to spoil Hakuho's bid for a perfect record when the two faceoff on Saturday.

Lower-ranked wrestler Toyohibiki defeated Tokitenku (7-6) in an earlier bout to improve to 10-3.

Sekiwake Ama forced out Mongolian compatriot Asasekiryu to pick up his ninth win against four losses. Asasekiryu, a No. 2 maegashira, dropped to 8-5.

With nothing but personal pride on the line, Bulgarian Kotooshu overpowered ozeki rival Chiyotaikai to improve to 9-4.

Kotooshu came into the tournament looking for promotion to grand champion after winning the previous tournament — the first European to do so — but quickly lost the chance to move up the ranks with three early losses in this event.

Chiytaikai, who dropped to 8-5, has ensure he finishes with the winning record he needed to maintain his ozeki status.