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Asashoryu stays one win behind compatriot Hakuho

Mongolian Asashoryu defeated Miyabiyama on Friday to stay one win back of compatriot Hakuho at the New Year Grand Sumo tournament.

In the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, grand champion Asashoryu calmly brushed aside No. 2 maegashira Miyabiyama to stay in a group of seven wrestlers at 5-1. Miyabiyama dropped to 2-4.

Asashoryu is coming off a two-tournament ban for playing a charity soccer game while skipping an exhibition sumo tournament in Japan and is looking to restore his image in the 15-day New Year meet.

Asashoryu has won 21 Emperor's Cups and will be looking to add another here to silence his many critics.

Asashoryu's main rival, Hakuho, coasted to a one-sided win over Kisenosato to stay in sole possession of the lead at 6-0.

Hakuho, who won November's Kyushu tourney, got both arms around Kisenosato and effortlessly waltzed the top maegashira out of the ring to his second loss against four wins.

Mongolian sekiwake Ama sidestepped Kaio at the faceoff and then shoved the ozeki out to give both wrestlers a record of 3-3.

Ozeki Kotooshu got both hands on the back of Goeido's head and swatted the No. 3 maegashira down to improve to 4-2. Goeido dropped to 1-5.

Sekiwake Aminishiki waltzed out ozeki Chiyotaikai, who continues to look sluggish and dropped to an unflattering 0-6. Aminishiki improved to 4-2.

No. 2 maegashira Toyonoshima overpowered ozeki Kotomitsuki to give both wrestlers a 3-3 record.
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