Grand champion Asashoryu showed little sign of letting up Thursday when he overwhelmed Russia's Roho to stay undefeated and tied for the lead at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
Mongolian Asashoryu got both arms around Roho in the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan and toppled the top maegashira to improve to a perfect 5-0. Roho dropped to 2-3.
Asashoryu, who is gunning for his 12th Emperor's Cup, is tied for the lead along with Kaio and lower-ranked wrestler Tamakasuga.
In other major bouts, ozeki Kaio remained tied for the lead at 5-0 when he hauled Tochinonada down at the side of the ring to hand the No. 2 maegashira his fourth loss against a lone win.
Kaio was slow in leaving the ring after the win and appeared to favor his left side.
Ozeki Tochiazuma stayed one win off the pace at 4-1 when he forced Kokkai back at the faceoff and sent the struggling No. 2 maegashira to his fourth loss against a lone win.
Ozeki Chiyotaikai, who is also at 4-1, ran out of arm thrusts to the upper body and was eventually forced out by Tamanoshima to take his first loss of the tournament.
Top maegashira Tamanoshima, who improved to 2-3, gave Chiyotaikai a taste of his own medicine when he used one final shove to send the veteran grappler over the straw ridge.
Hakuho was handed his third straight loss and dropped to 2-3 after a bout with Kotomitsuki (3-2).
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