Yokozuna debutant Asashoryu had a powerful win with a twist of good fate Friday as ozeki Chiyotaikai fell to his third loss to even the score between the pair with two days remaining at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
The Mongolian bruiser, who is aiming to win his third consecutive Emperor's Cup, zeroed in on Kotomitsuki before handily disposing of the sekiwake to move level with his ozeki rival at 10-3 at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
Chiyotaikai, however, got a bit too anxious in the penultimate bout with fellow ozeki Kaio and paid for his mistake. The Kokonoe stable grappler came flying out of the crouch and was sent sprawling over the edge as Kaio dodged a bullet with a heads-up sidestep.
Chiyotaikai, who is looking to claim his third title, slipped into a tie with Asashoryu while Kaio along with ninth-ranked Miyabiyama are hot in pursuit just one off the pace at 9-4.