TOKYO — Grand champion Asashoryu extended his winning streak to 10 bouts Tuesday for the lead at the New Year Sumo tournament.

The 28-year-old Mongolian grabbed the belt of Japanese opponent, Kotomitsuki, and quickly shoved him out of the ring in the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan's main sumo venue.

Asashoryu improved to 10-0. He has been the subject of recent retirement speculation after missing all or part of the last three tournaments with injury.

Fellow Mongolian grand champion Hakuho suffered his first defeat at the 15-day tournament, losing to newly promoted ozeki and compatriot Harumafuji. Harumafuji got a firm grip on Hakuho's belt and dragged the grand champion out of the ring in a matter of seconds. Hakuho slipped to 9-1.

In other major bouts, Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu seemed powerless against Chiyotaikai, who gave the European wrestler powerful slaps and pushed him out of the ring. Kotooshu's record fell to 8-2.

Estonian wrestler Baruto fell to 7-2 after losing to Goeido.