A sour ending didn't spoil the sweet taste of victory for yokozuna Kakuryu on the final day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka on Sunday.
Kakuryu (13-2) thought he had defeated ozeki Takayasu to wrap up the basho, but ringside judges couldn't agree on the winner and ordered a do-over.
The only yokozuna healthy enough to compete in the Spring tourney, Kakuryu couldn't handle the intensity of a hard-charging Takayasu, who manhandled the yokozuna toward the bales and off the raised ring with a final winning thrust in the redo for his 12th win.
Kakuryu didn't get emotional about winning his fourth career Emperor's Cup and first since the Kyushu tournament in 2016 in a TV interview after the final bout.
"There are many things that come to mind right now," he said. "I spent the entire year last year going through some tough times.
"During that time, a number of people supported me, cheered for and believed in me, and I just want to show appreciation to all those folks right now. I think I have matured, and I'm convinced I can be even better," added Kakuryu, the active wrestler with the most tournament titles behind Hakuho's 40.
Meanwhile, No. 6 maegashira Kaisei, who was undefeated until falling to komusubi Ichinojo on Day 10, picked up his 12th victory by throwing down No. 14 maegashira Ikioi (11-4). The Brazilian-born Kaisei was rewarded with his third Fighting Spirit Prize in a consistent performance.
Ichinojo (9-6) lost his matchup against sekiwake Tochinoshin, the winner of the New Year Tournament. The 10-win Tochinoshin earned his second Outstanding Performance Prize.
Ever-popular No. 1 maegashira Endo (9-6) lost to No. 4 maegashira Shohozan (8-7), but still earned his second career Technique Prize.
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