FUKUOKA, Japan — Mongolian Ama upset compatriot Hakuho on Thursday to move into a two-way tie for the lead with the grand champion at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Sekiwake Ama forced Hakuho back at the faceoff and threw the yokozuna down with an arm throw in the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Ama, who is bidding for his first Emperor's Cup and promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, is tied with Hakuho at 10-2 heading into the final three days of the tournament.

Hakuho, bidding for his ninth title, desperately tried to escape Ama's hold but touched the dirt surface for just his second loss since an opening day loss to Aminishiki.

Ozeki Kotomitsuki kept his title hopes alive when he forced out sekiwake Baruto to improve to 9-3. Baruto fell to 8-4.

Fifth-ranked maegashira Dejima shoved out Bulgarian oseki Kotooshu to give both wrestlers a record of 6-6.

In other major bouts, ozeki Chiyotaikai (7-5) prevented Miyabiyama making it a three-way tie for the tournament lead, forcing the No. 7 maegashira out.