Grand champion Asashoryu disposed of Miyabiyama for his second victory of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday but it was another day of disappointment for ozeki Tochiazuma who slipped to his second defeat.
In the day's final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, the Mongolian yokozuna weathered a violent storm but improved his overall record against the top-ranked maegashira to 11-2.
Asashoryu, who is aiming to capture his second consecutive Emperor's Cup with an undefeated record and sixth overall title, was pushed in a torrent of shoves to the ring's edge but stood his ground as he calmly set the Miyabiyama on his backside for the win.
Elsewhere, Chiyotaikai and Kaio each posted comfortable wins over their respective opponents to stay on pace at 2-0 with the lone grand champion, while Musoyama bounced back from a first-day defeat.