Asashoryu back on top
after Dejima stumbles

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From staff and wire reports

TOKYO >> Ozeki Asashoryu took first place all to himself when he beat Shimotori (6-5) by oshidashi (frontal push out) today at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Asashoryu, who will be considered for promotion to yokozuna if he can win this basho, improved to 11-1 and opened up a one-win lead over Dejima and Wakanosato with three days left.

Asashoryu can cut the list of contenders to two when he confronts Wakanosato today. Wakanosato leads the series between them 5-4 and has won the last two despite Asashoryu's recent hot streak.

Dejima was a victim of Takanotsuru's uwatenage (overarm throw) to fall out of a share of the lead.

Dejima takes on Takamisakari, who lost to Wakanosato, today.

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Results

TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Kyodo) - Results of makuuchi-division bouts for Thursday, the 12th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo (+ indicates juryo-division wrestler):

Won		Technique	Lost
Tamarikido	6-6	oshidashi	+Aogiyama	6-6
+Komahikari	7-5	yorikiri	Kobo	4-8
+Kinkaiyama	6-6	yorikiri	Tochinohana	5-7
Akinoshima	3-9	tsukiotoshi	Jumonji	4-8
Kotoryu	8-4	yorikiri	Kasuganishiki	6-6
Tochinonada	7-5	oshidashi	Hokutoriki	5-7
Kyokushuzan	6-6	uwatenage	Kasugao	8-4
Aminishiki	3-9	watashikomi	Otsukasa	3-9
Wakanoyama	6-6	yorikiri	Tokitsuumi	4-8
Kotonowaka	6-6	yorikiri	Gojoro	5-7
Takanotsuru	9-3	uwatenage	Dejima	10-2
Kyokutenho	8-4	yorikiri	Tamanoshima	6-6
Tosanoumi	5-7	oshidashi	Toki	2-10
Takanonami	6-6	yorikiri	Iwakiyama	5-7
Wakanosato	10-2	yorikiri	Takamisakari	8-4
Kotomitsuki	8-4	oshidashi	Kaiho	5-7
Asashoryu	11-1	oshidashi	Shimotori	6-6
Musoyama	6-6	oshidashi	Takanowaka	7-5

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