Grand champion Asashoryu disposed of Kakizoe to maintain the lead with an undefeated record after the sixth day of action at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.
Asashoryu never gave the second-ranked maegashira a chance in day's finale to improve to a perfect 6-0, while promotion-chasing sekiwake Kotooshu rolled over komusubi Kyokutenho to stay hot in pursuit among five wrestlers at 5-1 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Kakizoe, who fell to 0-10 in career bouts against the yokozuna, was sent backpedaling right after the face-off in a flurry of slaps, leaving him at 1-5.
The Mongolian yokozuna is aiming to win the Emperor's Cup for an unprecedented seven straight time. A victory here would also make him the only wrestler to ever win all six meets in a year.