Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu stayed on course to become the first wrestler since 1986 to win five Emperor's Cup in a single year by barging out Kotonowaka to stay perfect at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
Looking to rebound from a disappointing 9-6 showing in the autumn meet, the 24-year-old bruiser from Ulan Bator wasted little time in racking up his eighth win in the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, diving in low and turning Kotonowaka (6-2) around and out of the ring with minimal fuss.
Asashoryu holds a one-win lead over promotion-chasing Kaio, Wakanosato, Russian Roho and fellow Mongolian Hakuho.
Autumn champion Kaio, a Fukuoka native, put on a classy performance for his home fans as he pulled away from the clutches of Tamanoshima (3-5) and wrapped the fourth-ranked maegashira up and ushered him over the straw bales.