Ozeki Asashoryu got his yokozuna challenge back on track at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday after tripping up rank-and-filer Kotonowaka to stay in a tie for the lead.
Keeping pace with the Mongolian trickster on nine wins is former ozeki Dejima, who turned back the clock to blast past Kotoryu at the 15-day meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
On a day when the sumo world woke up pondering the retirement of Takanohana, Asashoryu (9-1) showed why he is being touted to take over from the yokozuna legend as the dominant force in sumo.