TOKYO — Grand champion Asashoryu rallied from his first loss of the tournament to defeat Chiyotaikai on Wednesday and remain one win behind Hakuho at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the day's final bout at Osaka Municipal Gymnasium, Asashoryu used a textbook arm throw at the center of the ring to send ozeki Chiyotaikai sprawling to the dirt surface.

Asashoryu, bidding for his 24th Emperor's Cup, improved to 10-1 in the 15-day meet while Chiyotaikai dropped to 2-9. Asashoryu was coming off an upset loss to Ozeki Harumafuji on Tuesday.

In Wednesday's penultimate bout, Mongolian grand champion Hakuho improved to 11-0 when he overpowered Kisenosato at the faceoff and drove the sekiwake out. Kisenosato fell to 5-6.

Asashoryu and Hakuho met in the final of the New Year tournament, which Asashoryu won, and appear destined to do so again in the Spring meet.

In other major bouts, ozeki Kaio wrapped up a winning record and improved to 8-3 when he swatted down No. 2 maegashira Tochiozan, who lost his footing at the faceoff and saw his record drop to 7-4.

Mongolian Harumafuji forced out fellow ozeki Kotomitsuki to improve to 7-4. Kotomitsuki dropped to 6-5.

Top maegashira Kukuryu overpowered Estonian sekiwake Baruto to pick up his sixth win against five losses. It was Baruto's seventh loss against four wins.

Komusubi Goeido drove Bulgarian Kotooshu out in a matter of seconds to improve to 6-5. Ozeki Kotooshu fell to 7-4.