TOKYO — Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu showed no sign of letting up Friday, overpowering Toyonoshima to stay tied for the lead at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Asashoryu came bursting out of the blocks in the day's final bout and drove komusubi Toyonoshima out to improve to 6-0 while maintaining a share of the lead with Hakuho, Baruto and lower-ranked wrestler Tochiozan.

After missing all or part of the last three tournaments with injury, Asashoryu appears to have regained the winning form that allowed him to win 22 Emperor's Cups.

In other major bouts, Mongolian grand champion Hakuho barely broke a sweat, hauling down No. 3 maegashira Takekaze (2-4) in a matter of seconds to keep pace at 6-0.

Estonian Baruto continued his impressive run in the 15-day meet when he used an arm throw to send Kotomitsuki over the straw ridge. Sekiwake Baruto improved to a perfect 6-0 while ozeki Kotomitsuki dropped to 1-5.

Newly-promoted ozeki Harumafuji continues to struggle and was hoisted out by Goeido to fall to 1-5. Goeido, a No. 3 maegashira, improved to 5-1.

Komusubi Kisenosato shoved out ozeki Kaio to improve to 3-3. Kaio, who needs a winning record to maintain his ozeki status, dropped to 4-2.

Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu hauled down No. 2 maegashira Miyabiyama to pick up his fifth win against a lone loss. Miyabiyama dropped to 1-5.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai forced out struggling top maegashira Kyokutenho to stay one win off the pace at 5-1. Mongolian Kyokutenho was handed his fifth loss.

In an earlier bout, 12th-ranked maegashira Tochiozan stayed tied for the lead when he shoved out No. 10 Tokitenku, who dropped to 2-4.