Ozeki Asashoryu moved a win away from claiming his first makuuchi-division title in a classic brains-over-brawn win against sekiwake Kotomitsuki at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday.
With the victory and just three days remaining in the 15-day meet, the hot-blooded Mongolian (11-1) has all but assured himself his first-ever Emperor's Cup with the nearest challengers all at 8-4.
Asashoryu, who fell to rank-and filer Tochinonada a day earlier, was refreshingly brisk in the day's premier bout, quickly baiting in Kotomitsuki for a perfectly executed and earth-shaking over-arm throw at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
The sekiwake, who still leads the rivalry 6-4, took the bait -- hook, line and sinker -- as Asashoryu deftly reached his right hand around for a generous portion of sash and, in a sweeping motion, deposited Kotomitsuki with a thud on the clay surface of the raised ring.