High-flying sumo star Asashoryu failed to impress the sumo world on a day when yokozuna Takanohana retired, falling to his first loss at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at the hands of rank-and-filer Kaiho on Monday.

Ozeki Asashoryu dropped into a tie for the lead with third-ranked maegashira Dejima at 8-1, with komusubi Wakanosato and two maegashira wrestlers following with seven wins in the 15-day meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

In the day's final bout, Kaio beat out Asashoryu in the battle for a favorable belt-gripping position and cleanly executed a well-timed inner-leg trip with his left leg as the Mongolian desperately attempted a throw by holding the neck of the No. 5 maegashira.