TOKYO — Grand champion Asashoryu defeated Miyabiyama at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday to stay undefeated and tied for the lead.

Asashoryu was pushed back to the edge of the ring in the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan but showed some deft footwork on the straw ridge, stepping to his side and swatting the charging No. 2 maegashira out to improve to 4-0. Miyabiyama fell to 1-3.

Having missed all or part of the past three tournaments, Asashoryu came into this 15-day New Year meet facing calls for his retirement if he got off to a slow start.

The Mongolian grand champion has so far silenced his critics but will have to stay in contention throughout the meet to avoid more pressure.

Mongolian grand champion Hakuho maintained a share of the lead when he used a textbook arm throw to send top maegashira Kotoshogiku sprawling to the dirt surface. Kotoshogiku fell to 0-4.

In other major bouts, newly promoted ozeki Harumafuji, also Mongolian, suffered his fourth straight loss when he was pushed down shortly after the faceoff by komusubi Kisenosato, who improved to 1-3.

Harumafuji, formerly known as Ama, was promoted to ozeki after advancing to the final of the Kyushu tournament in November with a 13-2 record, but has struggled in his debut at sumo's second-highest rank.

Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu improved to a 4-0 when he got both arms around Takekaze and muscled the No. 3 maegashira out to his second loss against two wins.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai remained tied for the lead after using his trademark arm thrusts to send Yoshikaze toppling off the ring. Yoshizake, a No. 2 maegashira, dropped to 1-3.

Estonian sekiwake Baruto also improved to 4-0 when he overpowered ozeki Kaio. Kaio, who needs a winning record here to maintain his ozeki status, dropped to 3-1.