Rank-and-file wrestler Asanoyama seized the sole lead at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday with a controversial win over sekiwake Tochinoshin, as Kakuryu dropped off the pace by losing to ozeki Takayasu.
Yokozuna Kakuryu, who is aiming for a sixth top-level championship, dropped to 10-3 with the loss to his nemesis in the final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Kakuryu tried to secure a belt grip at the outset, but he was unable to hold on as the powerfully built ozeki shoved him off balance and pushed him out.