Yokozuna Asashoryu put on a sumo clinic to defeat Tamakasuga to stay in a share of the lead with two rank-and-filers at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
Asashoryu, who is seeking his 18th career Emperor's Cup, improved his record to 7-1 to stay even with No. 6 maegashira Ama and top-ranked maegashira Roho as the 15-day meet enters the second week.
In the day's final bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tamakasuga, a No. 4 maegashira, never had a chance as the yokozuna rolled ahead with a snappy barrage of thrusts after the faceoff and sent his opponent out to his eighth straight loss.
Mongolian ozeki Hakuho, who is hanging on by a thread in his hope for yokozuna promotion, bounced back from a defeat a day earlier with a win over Estonian top-ranked maegashira Baruto.
Hakuho (5-3) got a turbo jump off the line and hit the top maegashira with a series of thrusts before sending him over the edge. Ozeki Tochiazuma (4-4) charged forward like a bull to dump down Dejima (1-7).
In a battle of European wrestlers, ozeki Kotooshu was thrown down with a beltless arm throw by Kokkai (4-4) after he appeared to have his komusubi rival wrapped up and sent to a third defeat.
In a meeting of Mongolians, Ama stood firm against Kyokutenho before getting inside for a solid belt grip and grinding out his opponent to stay in the lead. Kyokutenho slipped to 3-5.
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