Ozeki Asashoryu delved into his arsenal to blow away No. 4 maegashira Takamisakari on Sunday as the leading Mongolian maestro preserved his unbeaten record on the eighth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Veteran Akinoshima stayed in touch at 7-1 after shoving out Jumonji but ozeki Musoyama choked on the pressure and was dumped to his second upset defeat by new komusubi Takanowaka in the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Asashoryu, gunning for his first Emperor's Cup, stormed out of his blocks like a raging bull and quickly took control as he throttled Takamisakari (4-4) with a vice-like grip at the center of the ring.
From then on there was only going to be one winner and the saucy 22-year-old from Ulan Bator, making only his second appearance as ozeki, finished the job with a furious windmill of slaps and thrusts to secure his second straight 8-0 winning record.