FUKUOKA, Japan — Grand champion Hakuho threw down Tochinoshin on Monday to keep his share of the lead at the Kyushu grand Sumo Tournament.

Mongolia's Hakuho survived persistent pushing by the hefty Georgian, grabbed his opponent's belt and threw him down in the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai center. Tochinoshin, the No. 4 maegashira, sank to 1-8.

Hakuho, bidding for his ninth emperor's Cup, is 8-1 and tied for the lead with lower-ranked Miyabiyama, who also won Monday.

Miyabiyama, a No. 7 maegashira, shoved out Georgian Kokkai.

In other major bouts, Estonian sekiwake Baruto lifted Asasekiryu by the belt, with the opponent's legs dangling, then dropped him outside the straw ridge. Baruto improved to 7-2 to stay in touch with the leaders.

Sekiwake Ama of Mongolia threw down ozeki Kotooshu. Ama, seeking a promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, improved to 7-2, while the higher-ranked Bulgarian sank to 3-6.

Kisenosato survived scores of hand thrusts to the neck by ozeki Chiyotaikai and shoved him out of the straw ridge, climbing to 7-2. Chiyotaikai fell to 6-3.