Grand champion Asashoryu pounded Kotooshu at the faceoff on Wednesday to remain undefeated and in the sole lead at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
Mongolian Asashoryu, who is gunning for his fourth straight Emperor's Cup and 12th overall, improved to 11-0 when he delivered a fierce blow to the face to send the stunned Bulgarian over the edge in the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan. No. 5 maegashira Kotooshu, who left the ring with a cut under his eye, fell to 7-4 in the 15-day tourney.
Chiyotaikai and Mongolian Kyokushuzan are one win off the pace at 10-1.