Yokozuna Asashoryu and promotion-chasing sekiwake Hakuho remained unstoppable with their ninth straight wins Monday and continued to share the lead at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
Hakuho throws down Kotooshu on the ninth day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at
Osaka Municipal Gymnasium.
Asashoryu took a cautious approach against fellow Mongolian-born Kyokutenho (6-3) in the day's final bout at Osaka Municipal Gymnasium before muscling the No. 5 maegashira out of the ring with a well-timed charge for another convincing win.
Asashoryu, reigning on top of the rankings as the lone yokozuna for a record 14th tournament, is looking to bounce back from his disappointing campaign at the New Year meet in January when he saw his streak snapped after capturing an unprecedented seven straight titles.