Yokozuna Asashoryu halted Kotoryu from advancing beyond the face-off line and sent him out of the ring Saturday for a perfect 7-0 record on the seventh day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
Seeking his second title, the 22-year-old Mongolian grand champion blocked Kotoryu, a No. 3 maegashira, and then gripped him tightly on both sides and pushed him back and out of the ring with a decisive final push. Kotoryu fell to 3-4.
Two wrestlers -- ozeki Kaio and lower-ranked Kakizoe -- were one victory behind Asashoryu, the only undefeated wrestler.
Kaio, who won the July tournament and is seeking promotion to sumo's top rank with a record of at least 14 wins, survived sekiwake Miyabiyama's strong shove and plowed him to the edge of the ring before throwing him out. Miyabiyama fell to 3-4.
Kakizoe, a No. 11 maegashira, easily bulldozed out No. 13 maegashira Asanowaka, who fell to 2-5.
Two other ozeki (champions) also survived their matches Saturday.
Tochiazuma (5-2) was initially pushed to the ringside but skillfully sidestepped at the last minute and threw out No. 1 maegashira Tochinonada (3-4).
Chiyotaikai (5-2) charged No. 3 maegashira Tokitsuumi (2-5) with a series of hand thrusts to the neck and sent him out of the ring. In other top-division bouts, Mongolian-born No. 2 maegashira Kyokutenho locked onto sekiwake Wakanosato's right elbow and threw him out, leaving both at 4-3.
No. 1 maegashira Takamisakari (5-2), who a favorite of sumo fans because of his robot-like movements outside the ring, grasped komusubi Toki (3-4) tightly and bulldozed him out after an exchange of fierce face slaps.
No. 4 maegashira Takanonami (3-4) grabbed his smaller opponent Asasekiryu (3-4), a No. 3 maegashira from Mongolia, and dragged him to the ringside to throw him out.
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