Asashoryu pushed Tamonoshima out of the ring in a swift bout yesterday to protected his sole lead at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
The Mongolian yokozuna gave the sekiwake little time to get his bearings before he charged forward and shoved his opponent out in the final bout.
Asashoryu, with his seventh win, is the only undefeated wrestler in the 15-day tournament. Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma, Kotomitsuki and rank-and-filer Kakizoe all trail Asashoryu by one win.
Tochiazuma, who is hoping to win a promotion to sumo's highest rank of grand champion, won his sixth straight bout by overpowering No. 2 maegashira Iwakiyama. Though Iwakiyama got off to a good start and grabbed the ozeki by the arm, Tochiazuma soon wriggled out of the junior wrestler's grip to push him out of the ring.
The ozeki, who won November's Kyushu tournament, has a record of 6-1 and needs at least 13 wins this tournament to be promoted to yokozuna.
Chiyotaikai improved to 6-1 by ousting Tokitsuumi after he shoved the No. 4 maegashira out of the ring.
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