Grand champion Asashoryu overpowered undefeated top maegashira Toyonoshima on Wednesday to post his second straight win at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
Mongolian Asashoryu forced Toyonoshima to the edge and lifted him out over the straw ridge to improve to 2-2. Toyonoshima fell to 3-1.
Asashoryu, who is bidding for his 21st Emperor's Cup, lost his first two bouts of the tournament, but predictions that he is coming unglued may prove premature.
He showed no sign of panic against Toyonoshima and was never in danger during the day's final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
In other major bouts, ozeki Tochiazuma remained tied for the lead at 4-0 with a solid win over sekiwake Kotomitsuki, who dropped to 3-1.
Tochiazuma shares the lead with lower-ranked No. 11 maegashira Kakuryu, who remained undefeated at 4-0 when he toppled winless No. 10 Kasuganishiki.
Ozeki Hakuho had his hands full with fellow Mongolian Ama.
After exchanging a series of slaps to the head with his opponent, Hakuho finally maneuvered Ama to the edge, where he needed several shoves to the upper body to send the determined komusubi out.
Hakuho improved to 3-1 while Ama fell to 1-3.
Ozeki Chiyotaikai used his trademark arm thrusts to dispatch top maegashira Kisenosato while improving to 3-1.
Kisenosato was handed his second loss.
Mongolian Kyokutenho, a No. 2 maegashira, spun Kotooshu around at the faceoff and muscled the Bulgarian ozeki out to improve to 1-3.
Kotooshu dropped to 2-2.
Sekiwake Kotoshogiku posted his first win of the tournament when he got both arms around Kaio and bulldozed the ozeki out to his third loss.
In a showdown of No. 3 maegashira, Miyabiyama, who defeated Asashoryu on Day 2, shoved out Kasugao to give both wrestlers a 2-2 record.
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