OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Newly promoted yokozuna Hoshoryu continued to struggle Monday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, falling to No. 4 maegashira Ichiyamamoto for his second straight loss to a rank-and-file opponent.

The Mongolian grand champion, who lost a day earlier to the other No. 4 maegashira, Takayasu, slumped to 5-4 on Day 9 of the 15-day meet at Edion Arena Osaka.

Takayasu, meanwhile, kept thriving against top-ranked opponents, beating demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki Kotozakura to remain tied for the lead with ozeki Onosato at 8-1. The other overnight leader, No. 14 maegashira Churanoumi, dropped to 7-2 with a loss to No. 18 maegashira Tokihayate (5-4).

Hoshoryu attempted to clinch the day's final bout with a hooking inner thigh throw, but was thwarted as Ichiyamamoto (5-4) used a double inside grip to counter at the edge.

"When I got the double inside position, I knew I had to go in for the kill," said Ichiyamamoto, who picked up his first "kinboshi" gold star prize for defeating a yokozuna as a rank-and-file wrestler. "I'm trying to start with a really strong opening charge and follow from there."

Veteran former ozeki Takayasu dragged his pre-tournament sparring opponent Kotozakura (5-4) to the clay with a pulling underarm throw after the two had been locked in a chest-to-chest stalemate.

"I was able to fight calmly and in my own style," said the 35-year-old Takayasu. "I was able to practice hard with Kotozakura and thanks to him I'm managing to compete pretty well this time."

Kotozakura still needs three more wins to escape kadoban and remain at the second-highest rank after posting a losing record in January.

Two-time Emperor's Cup-winner Onosato continued to look sharp as he forced out komusubi Abi (4-5) and set the stage for a mouth-watering battle against Takayasu on Day 10.