Asashoryu suffered a first defeat at the hands of Kisenosato on Sunday, leaving rival Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho and ozeki Kotooshu in a two-way tie for the lead to wrap up the first week of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Hakuho and Kotooshu improved to 8-0 records as the competition heats up at the 15-day meet.
In the day's final bout, Asashoryu appeared to get the jump on Kisenosato as he pushed his opponent backward at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, but the sekiwake turned the tables at the last second with a thrusting technique to drag Asashoryu to the dirt.