Asashoryu a win away
from winning basho

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From staff and wire reports

TOKYO >> Ozeki Asashoryu clinched a tie for first place by beating Wakanosato by okuritaoshi (rear push down) today at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

At 12-1, he is one win away from clinching the title, and he can do so if he beats Kotomitsuki (8-5) tomorrow. Kotomitsuki leads the all-time series 6-3, and has won five of the last six.

Wakanosato fell to 10-3, but remains in a tie for second place because Dejima, also 10-3, fell to Takamisakari (9-4).

Wakanosato and Dejima are the only sumotori who can catch Asashoryu, who will be considered for yokozuna if he can win this basho.

Tomorrow Wakanosato takes on Kyokushuzan (6-7), while Dejima faces Tosanoumi (6-7).

Dejima has lost four of the last five against his opponent, while Wakanosato has won three of his last four against his.

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Results

TOKYO, Jan. 24 (Kyodo) -- Results of makuuchi-division bouts for Friday, the 13th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo (+ indicates juryo-division wrestler):

Won		Technique	Lost
+Kinkaiyama	7-6	yorikiri	Kobo	4-9
+Buyuzan	10-3	okuridashi	Takanotsuru	9-4
+Asasekiryu	9-4	kawazugake	Jumonji	4-9
Akinoshima	4-9	uwatenage	Otsukasa	3-10
Tamarikido	7-6	kotenage	Kotoryu	8-5
Tamanoshima	7-6	oshidashi	Tochinohana	5-8
Shimotori	7-6	yorikiri	Kasuganishiki	6-7
Wakanoyama	7-6	yorikiri	Kasugao	8-5
Tochinonada	9-4	yoritaoshi	Kaiho	5-8
Aminishiki	4-9	okurihikiotoshi	Gojoro	5-8
Takamisakari	9-4	uwatedashinage	Dejima	10-3
Tokitsuumi	5-8	yorikiri	Toki	2-11
Kotonowaka	7-6	uwatenage	Kyokutenho	8-5
Takanonami	7-6	hatakikomi	Tosanoumi	6-7
Iwakiyama	6-7	yorikiri	Kotomitsuki	8-5
Takanowaka	8-5	yorikiri	Kyokushuzan	6-7
Musoyama	7-6	okuritaoshi	Hokutoriki	4-9
Asashoryu	12-1	okuritaoshi	Wakanosato	10-3

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