Yokozuna Hakuho capped off the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament with a 15-0 record by defeating fellow yokozuna Kakuryu on the final day of the basho on Sunday at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Hakuho was able to secure a two-handed grip on Kakuryu's belt shortly after the jump-off.
The stubborn Kakuryu (10-5) also latched onto Hakuho's belt with both hands as the two stood still momentarily near the middle of the ring. Hakuho eventually got Kakuryu turned around and pushed out his exhausted opponent easily for the victory.
It was a record-extending 14th time Hakuho has made a perfect run at a basho.
"After a long stretch, the god of sumo has smiled upon me once again," Hakuho said in a post-tourney TV interview. "I feel great. This year, I have had to deal with injuries. In addition, my father went to heaven in April. Now, [with this victory], I have good news to tell him."
Hakuho also touched on dealing with the punishment on his body in a tough sport, saying, "Managing the bumps and bruises is the key to success in my life as a sumo wrestler."
The 33-year-old Mongolian on Saturday wrapped up the tournament when he became the only wrestler to reach 1,000 wins in the uppermost makuuchi division with his victory over ozeki Goeido. That win extended his record number of titles to 41.
Meanwhile, yokozuna Kisenosato (10-5) lost to Goeido (12-3). Kisenosato had missed all or part of the past eight tournaments, but finished the basho with double digits in wins. Kisenosato recorded five consecutive victories to start the basho, but lost to No. 2 maegashira Chiyotairyu on the sixth day.
Sekiwake Mitakeumi, who won the July Nagoya basho title, defeated No. 4 maegashira Abi to add one more win after securing his kachikoshi eighth victory.
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