Yokozuna Kakuryu, sekiwake Tochinoshin and No. 8 maegashira Asanoyama remained tied for the lead on the 10th day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Kakuryu, the lone yokozuna in the tourney, faced a strong initial charge from No. 4 maegashira Abi (6-4) in the day's final bout, but the Mongolian resisted and eventually slapped down his opponent to maintain a share of the lead at 9-1.
Georgian sekiwake Tochinoshin forced out komusubi Mitakeumi (6-4) with relative ease.
Rank-and-file upstart Asanoyama also put in a strong performance, forcing out No. 7 maegashira Shodai, who suffered his fourth defeat.
No. 15 maegashira Kotoeko is one loss behind the lead group. Kotoeko pulled down No. 10 maegashira Onosho (5-5) for his eighth victory.
Both ozeki each picked up their seventh wins. Takayasu pushed out No. 5 maegashira Ryuden (6-4), while Goeido narrowly escaped a defeat by shoving down Okinoumi (2-8) when the No. 4 maegashira tried to grab the ozeki's leg.
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