TOKYO — Grand champion Asashoryu was given a scare Saturday but recovered to defeat Yoshikaze and stay tied for the lead at the halfway mark of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Mongolian Asashoryu was shoved back to the brink by the hard-charging Yoshikaze (2-5) but spun the No. 2 maegashira around at the last moment and shoved his opponent out to improve to 7-0 in the 15-day meet.

Asashoryu, who missed all or parts of the previous three tournaments due to injury, is tied for the lead with fellow Mongolian Hakuho and lower-ranked wrestler Tochiozan.

In other major bouts, grand champion Hakuho kept pace at 7-0 with an arm throw at the edge of the ring that sent sekiwake Aminishiki sprawling to the dirt surface and a record of 3-4.

In an earlier bout, No. 12 maegashira Tochiozan forced out thirteenth-ranked Koryu (3-4) to maintain his share of the 7-0 lead.

Newly-promoted ozeki Harumafuji shoved out top maegashira Kyokutenho (1-6) to improve to 2-5.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai stayed one win off the pace at 6-1 when he used his trademark arm thrusts to send No. 3 maegashira Takekaze (2-5) toppling off the raised ring.

In an all-European showdown, Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu forced out Estonian sekiwake Baruto to give both wrestlers a record of 6-1.

Veteran ozeki Kaio, who needs a winning record to maintain his status at sumo's second-highest rank, forced out komusubi Toyonoshima (2-5) to improve to 5-2.