FUKUOKA, Japan — Grand champion Hakuho maintained the sole lead at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday with a one-sided win over Estonian wrestler Baruto.

In the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, the Mongolian spun the sekiwake around at the faceoff and shoved him out from behind to improve to 10-1. Baruto dropped to 8-3.

Hakuho is bidding for his ninth Emperor's Cup title and, with main rival grand champion and Mongolian compatriot Asashoryu sitting out the tournament, is the odds-on favorite.

Mongolian Ama kept his title hopes alive when he got an underhand grip of Chiyotaikai's belt and forced the ozeki out in the day's penultimate bout. Ama, who is also bidding for promotion to ozeki, improved to 9-2 while Chiyotaikai fell to 6-5.

No. 4 maegashira Kisenosato (8-3) shoved out Miyabiyama (9-2) , preventing the No. 7 maegashira maintaining a share of the lead.

Ozeki Kotomistuki was forced to sit out Wednesday's action with an injury and dropped to 8-3 after a forfeit loss to No. 6 maegashira Kakuryu, who improved to 5-6.

Top maegashira Toyonoshima moved up to 8-3 after he forced out komusubi Aminishiki (6-5).