Ozeki Chiyotaikai made mincemeat of overnight co-leader sekiwake Asashoryu on Friday to move into pole position at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with two days left in the 15-day meet.
Chiyotaikai, gunning for his second Emperor's Cup, improved to 12-1 as he moved one win ahead of the fiery Mongolian and two clear of yokozuna Musashimaru, who suffered his second shock defeat in as many days, this time at the hands of eighth-ranked maegashira Shimotori.
In the day's showcase bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Chiyotaikai shook off ozeki wannabe Asashoryu's advances as both grappled for control at center ring following the charge.
But it was the class of Chiyotaikai that shone through as the 1999 New Year champion repeatedly outmaneuvered Asashoryu and pummeled the Mongolian to the edge of the ring before ramming him into the ringside seats for his first win in three meetings between the two.