Grand champion Asashoryu hauled down komusubi Kotomitsuki on Sunday for a convincing win on the first day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
In the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Mongolian Asashoryu shoved Kotomitsuki back at the face off and then patiently waited before tugging the larger wrestler down at the middle of the ring to kick of his Summer campaign on a winning note.
Asashoryu captured his 11th Emperor's Cup at the Spring tourney in March with a 14-1 record. The yokozuna went a perfect 15-0 in the New Year meet in January and will be gunning for his eighth title in the last nine tournaments.