Yokozuna Asashoryu prevailed with a demolition of sekiwake Kotomitsuki to remain the sole leader with an undefeated record at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday.
Yokozuna Asashoryu throws down sekiwake Kotomitsuki to stay undefeated on Tuesday in 10th-day action of
the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
KYODO PHOTOThe lone grand champion improved to 10-0, while ozeki-trio Kaio, Chiyotaikai and Tochiazuma each fell to their second defeats, seeing their hopes in the race for the title grow dimmer with five days remaining at the 15-day meet.
In the day's finale, Asashoryu appeared in trouble when he let Kotomitsuki get inside for a left-handed belt grip, but turned the tables at the edge and sent the sekiwake sprawling over the edge with a beltless arm throw at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Asashoryu is once again the hot favorite to take home the tournament hardware.
Rank-and-filer Homasho, who won a battle against Estonian giant Baruto, is the closest in the race at 9-1.
Kaio was sent crumbling over the edge in his second straight defeat by ozeki rival Kotooshu of Bulgaria, who deployed an overarm technique near the ridge to pick up his seventh win.
Chiyotaikai unleashed a salvo of his trademark thrusts to no avail against Miyabiyama (5-5), who used his beefy arms to pound his rival over the edge in a matter of seconds.