FUKUOKA, Japan — Grand champion Hakuho beat Asasekiryu to clinch his ninth victory Tuesday at the Kyushu grand Sumo Tournament

The 23-year-old Mongolian champion grabbed his opponent's belt and quickly tossed him out of the ring in the day's final bout, improving to 9-1. Asasekiryu, also a Mongolian, sank to 3-7.

Hakuho, who is bidding for his ninth Emperor's Cup, kept his share of the lead at the 15-day sumo tournament.

He goes into the final five days of the tournament tied with maegashira Miyabiyama on 9-1.

Hakuho's archrival, fellow Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu, was absent from the tournament due to an injury.

In other major bouts, ozeki Kotooshu of Bulgaria upended Japan's Goeido to pick up his fourth win. Kotooshu made sumo history in May by becoming the first European to win an Emperor's Cup.

Sekiwake Baruto of Estonia overpowered ozeki Chiyotaikai and quickly shoved him out of the ring.

Mongolian Ama secured his eighth win against Wakanosato by lifting the Japanese opponent and shoving him out of the straw ridge in a matter of seconds.