NAGOYA, Japan — Mongolian Hakuho defeated compatriot Asasekiryu on Wednesday to stay tied for the lead with two others at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the day's final bout at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, grand champion Hakuho twisted down winless No. 2 maegashira Asasekiryu to improve to 4-0, tied with Mongolian Ama and lower-ranked Tochiozan.

Hakuho quickly got a hold of Asasekiryu's belt after the faceoff and hauled his opponent down to the dirt surface in a matter of seconds.

In other major bouts, grand champion Asashoryu posted his third straight win and improved to 3-1 when he swatted down winless No. 2 maegashira Hokutoriki.

Asashoryu, who is gunning for his 23rd Emperor's Cup, has looked strong since an opening day loss to Toyonoshima.

Sekiwake Ama improved to a perfect 4-0 when he got both arms around Toyonoshima and forced the komusubi out over the straw ridge. Toyonoshima fell to 3-1.

Lower-ranked grappler Tochiozan kept pace at 4-0 with a win over Georgian Kokkai, who dropped to 2-2.

Bulgarian Kotooshu, whose chances for promotion to grand champion have all but evaporated with two losses, used a series of arm thrusts to send winless No. 3 maegashira Futeno over the edge.

Kotooshu, who became the first European to win an Emperor's Cup when he took out the previous tournament in May, improved to 2-2.

Ozeki Kaio picked up his third win against a lone loss when he got a right-hand grip on the belt of Kisenosato and lifted the komusubi wrestler out to his third loss.

Chiyotaikai, who needs a winning record to maintain his ozeki status, overpowered slumping sekiwake Kotoshogiku (1-3) to improve to 3-1.

No. 3 maegashira Tochinonada improved to 2-2 and handed ozeki Kotomitsuki his first loss of the tournament with a textbook arm throw at the center of the ring.