Yokozuna Asashoryu dispatched countryman Kyokutenho, raising the stakes with his fourth straight win at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday.
Asashoryu remained hot on the heels of undefeated Tochiazuma, who moved within two wins of the necessary eight to maintain his ozeki status.
In the day's finale at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Asashoryu locked horns with Kyokutenho at the center of the ring and waited for the precise moment before deploying a twisting backward knee trip on the No. 2 maegashira to improve to 4-2. Kyokutenho dropped to 1-5.
The Mongolian yokozuna is in the hunt for his fifth straight title and 21st overall Emperor's Cup but has his back to the wall after losing his first two bouts at the 15-day meet.