Grand champion Asashoryu fended off a challenge from fellow Mongolian Kyokutenho yesterday and stayed tied for the lead at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Fighting in the day's final bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Asashoryu overpowered Kyokutenho when he took a left hand grip of the No. 2 maegashira before driving him out to improve to a perfect 6-0.
Kyokutenho is still looking for his first win of the 15-day tourney.
PHOTO: AP/KYODO NEWS
Asashoryu, currently the only grand champion competing in sumo, was forced to sit out the summer tournament after injuring his elbow on the second day.
Ozeki Tochiazuma also stands at 6-0, while three ozeki wrestlers and five rank-and-filers stay one win off the pace.
Hakuho of Mongolia defeated winless Kotoshogiku when he quickly got a hand on the belt of the top maegashira, throwing him onto the dirt in a matter of seconds.
Hakuho, who lost on the opening day, chalked up his fifth win against one loss, while Kotoshogiku. The 21-year-old Hakuho, who won the Emperor's Cup in the May tourney, is gunning for promotion to grand champion.
In other major bouts, ozeki Chiyotaikai bounced back from Thursday's loss to Kakizoe when he used his trademark arm thrusts to send Miyabiyama out. Chiyotaikai improved to 5-1, while sekiwake Miyabiyama dropped to 3-3.
Kaio was initially pushed back near the edge, but the ozeki stood firm before hauling Kakizoe down onto the dirt surface to pick up his fifth win against one loss. Kakizoe, a No. 3 maegashira, fell to 2-4.
Struggling ozeki Kotooshu prevailed over Ama by spinning him around with a slap on the back soon after the faceoff, before sending the Mongolian wrestler out.
Kotooshu of Bulgaria improved to 4-2, while Ama fell to 2-4.
Ozeki Tochiazuma improved to 6-0 when he came in low at the faceoff and forced Kisenosato backward to the edge and out. Komusubi Kisenosato fell to 1-5.
Sekiwake Kotomitsuki improved to 3-3 when he used a left-hand grip thrown to send top maegashira Kyokushuzan out.
The Mongolian grappler remained winless.
Elsewhere, Estonian Baruto got a two-hand grip of Hokutoriki's belt and hoisted the No. 7 maegashira out for his fifth win against one loss.
Hokutoriki fell to 1-5.
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