Undefeated grand champion Asashoryu powered out Iwakiyama to retain his two-win lead at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
Asashoryu improved to 9-0 when he got both hands wrapped around Iwakiyama and grinded out the top-ranked maegashira in the day's finale at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. Iwakiyama slipped to 5-4.
Asashoryu's closest rivals are sekiwake Tochiazuma and komusubi Hakuho, who both improved to 7-2.