Yokozuna Asashoryu handed out a high-octane beating to Chiyotaikai, retaining the lead with a perfect 9-0 record at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
Yokozuna Hakuho, meanwhile, kept his hopes alive of winning back-to-back titles after dispatching sekiwake Kisenosato and shares second place with Sadogatake ozeki pair Kotomitsuki and Kotooshu, just one defeat off his rival at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Asashoryu, who is seeking his 24th career title and first in three meets, launched a full throttle attack against Chiyotaikai, grappling his opponent under the armpits before shoving the ozeki into the ringside seats. Chiyotaikai fell to a dismal 2-7 record.