Yokozuna Kakuryu recovered from his second upset of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament to reclaim a share of the lead with rank-and-filer Asanoyama, who suffered his second loss of the meet on Thursday.

Kakuryu (10-2) was momentarily pushed back by No. 5 maegashira Ryuden (7-5) in the final bout of the day at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, but the yokozuna executed a slick turnaround to swap positions with the maegashira and drive him out upright while pinning down his left arm.

The yokozuna will take on ozeki Takayasu on Friday in his challenge for a sixth makuuchi-division title.