TOKYO — Grand champion Asashoryu overpowered Bulgarian Kotooshu on Wednesday to stay in sole possession of the lead at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Mongolian Asashoryu got a grip of Kotooshu's arm shortly after the faceoff and swatted the ozeki wrestler out to improve to a perfect 11-0 in the 15-day meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Kotooshu, who has always struggled against Asashoryu, dropped to 8-3 and saw his hopes for the title all but dashed with four days remaining.

Asashoryu came into the New Year meet facing calls for his retirement but quickly silenced his critics and is now in the running for his 23rd Emperor's Cup.

In the day's final bout, grand champion Hakuho remained just a win off the pace and kept his title hopes alive with a one-sided win over veteran ozeki Kaio (7-4).

Mongolian Hakuho, who won the Kyushu tournament in November, got a hold of Kaio's belt and calmly lifted the veteran ozeki out to improve to 10-1.

After losing his first four bouts, newly promoted ozeki Harumafuji has bounced back and improved to 5-6 when he spun around Kotomitsuki and shoved the ozeki out to his ninth loss against a pair of wins.

Harumafuji won't be in the running for the Emperor's Cup but now has a legitimate shot at a winning record in his debut at sumo's second-highest rank.

Estonian sekiwake Baruto, who was in contention just a few days ago, was handed his third straight loss and dropped to 7-4 after being hauled down by Kotoshogiku. Kotoshogiku, a top maegasahira, improved to 4-7.

Top maegashira Miyabiyama gave Chiyotaikai a taste of his own medicine, using a series of arm thrusts to send the ozeki over the straw ridge.

Miyabiyama picked up his fourth win against seven losses while Chiyotaikai dropped to 7-4.