o Tournament Thursday. The Mongolian yokozuna used an aggressive overarm throw to heave Kotoshogiku into the clay, bringing him a step closer to a seventh title victory and a chance to avenge a final-day loss to archrival Asashoryu at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March. Sekiwake-ranked Kotoshogiku fell to 3-2.
Also keeping his record unblemished was Kotooshu of Bulgaria. The ozeki's aggressive charge out of the face-off forced Mongolia's Asasekiryu out of the ring. The komusubi slipped to 3-2.
Kotooshu, who must emerge with a winning record at the 15-day meet to maintain his ozeki status, shares the early tournament lead with Hakuho and Toyonoshima.
Grand champion Asashoryu moved closer to top form in his quest for a 23rd Emperor's Cup, improving to 4-1 with a win over No. 3 maegashira Miyabiyama. A victory here would move the 27-year-old yokozuna into fourth place on the all-time title list.
Kisenosato, who pulled off a shocking opening-day upset against Asashoryu, continued to impress by prevailing over ozeki Kotomitsuki. The komusubi is now 4-1, with wins against a yokozuna, two ozeki and a sekiwake-ranked wrestler. Kotomitsuki dropped to 3-2.
In other major fifth-day bouts, veteran ozeki Kaio rebounded from three straight losses with a win over Kokkai of Georgia. He improves to 2-3.
Ozeki Chiyotaikai posted his second win of the tournament, forcing Baruto of Estonian into the clay.
Sekiwake-ranked Ama is at 3-2 with a win over fellow Mongolian Kyokutenho, who fell to 1-4.
