Ozeki Asashoryu blasted his way to another quick-fire win on Monday as the Mongolian hot shot toppled No. 4 maegashira Gojoro to remain the unbeaten leader on the ninth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo tournament.
Asashoryu's ninth straight win moved him two clear of closest challengers and three ahead of ozeki rival Musoyama, who slumped to his second straight upset loss -- this time at the hands of top-ranked maegashira Takanonami at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Former ozeki Takanonami sits two wins off the pace along with fellow veteran Akinoshima, who allowed Asashoryu breathing space at the top of the leaderboard after going down to Asanowaka.
In the day's penultimate bout, Asashoryu put on another sumo clinic as he smothered Gojoro (3-6) at the charge and secured a solid two-handed grip on his opponent's belt before flipping him over with a perfectly executed twisting backward knee trip.