TOKYO — Grand champion Asashoryu remained undefeated at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday, calmly dispatching Chiyotaikai to remain on course for his 23rd Emperor's Cup.

As the crowd cheered him on at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Mongolian Asashoryu absorbed Chiyotaikai's aggressive initial thrust, then grabbed the ozeki with both arms and tossed him to the ground. The victory brought him to 13-0 in the 15-day event, which runs through Sunday.

Chiyotaikai fell to 7-6.

Asashoryu faced calls to retire before the current tournament, but has answered critics with a dominant display and retained his one-match lead over fellow grand champion Hakuho.

Minutes after Asashoryu's win, Hakuho improved to 12-1 when he threw ozeki Kotooshu down in the last match of the day. The loss sent Bulgarian Kotooshu to 9-4.

Newly promoted ozeki Harumafuji moved to a winning record when he pushed No. 3 maegashira Takekaze (7-5) to the ground and improved to 7-6. After losing his first four matches of the tournament, Harumafuji has recovered in his debut at sumo's second-highest rank.

Estonian sekiwake Baruto, who yesterday lost to Asashoryu, suffered his fifth straight loss and fell to 7-6 for the tournament. He was forced from the ring by No. 1 maegashira Kyokutenho, who improved to 7-6.