Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu dodged a bullet to beat compatriot Ama on Friday and zero in on his 18th Emperor's Cup at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.
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Asashoryu, who capitalized on a defeat for Ama (10-3) to take the sole lead a day earlier, got a fright after getting pulled off-balance in the day's finale but recovered to squash the No. 6 maegashira and go two wins clear with two days left in the event at Ryogoku Kokugikan.