Sekiwake Tochinoshin has final positive balance 7 rounds before the end of the tournament. In the 8^th round Levan Gorgadze beat sekiwake Ichinojo and is still a leader in the fight for the Emperor’s Cup. The Georgian is one point ahead of yokozuna Hakuho, yokozuna Kakuryu and the 11^th maegashira Chiyonokuni.

In the 9^th round Tochinoshin will face the third maegashira Daieisho.