Mongolian Yokozuna Asashoryu overpowered sekiwake Miyabiyama to maintain his blemish-free record in the lead Tuesday while ozeki Hakuho dodged a bullet against Estonian Baruto to rebound from the previous day's defeat at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Asashoryu wasted little time after the charge, knocking Miyabiyama off-balance and sending the sekiwake crumbling to a fifth defeat while improving his own mark to 10-0 in the day's final bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
Asashoryu is aiming for his career 17th title and first since his triumph at the spring basho in March. Miyabiyama saw his hopes for ozeki promotion all but dashed as he slipped to 5-5. Ozeki Chiyotaikai and rank-and-filers Tamakasuga and Tamanoshima are one off the pace at the 15-day meet.
In another key bout, Hakuho was shoved backward by Baruto but regained his composure as he got both hands wrapped around his burly opponent and toppled him with a mighty effort over the ridge. Buruto, in his second meet in the top flight, fell to 6-4.