Asashoryu capitalized on a slip up by yokozuna rival Hakuho to grab a share of the lead heading into the home stretch at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday.
Asashoryu witnessed Hakuho fluff his lines and crash to his first defeat of tournament against Ama and then took full advantage with a turbocharged display against Wakanosato in the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Asashoryu and Hakuho both have 9-1 records with five days of the 15-day basho remaining, as does another Mongolian bruiser, Kyokutenho, who kept his championship hopes alive by tugging down Tochiozan.