Yokozuna Hakuho has accumulated a steady string of wins over his career, but the victory he notched Saturday on Day 14 of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament was special because it marked two feats no one has ever achieved.
The Mongolian yokozuna beat ozeki Goeido to remain unbeaten and clinch the Emperor's Cup at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. In doing so, the 33-year-old extended his record number of titles to 41, and collected his 1,000th victory in the top makuuchi division.
"As I get older, I'm experiencing more injuries ... This title means a lot," Hakuho said in a TV interview. "This is the greatest feeling ever."
As if reflecting the yokozuna's nerves, the match saw two failed jump-offs after the time limit. However, on the third attempt, Hakuho (14-0) powerfully threw Goeido (11-3) to earn the title.
Meanwhile, Yokozuna Kisenosato ensured his comeback from a long hiatus with double digits in wins, beating fellow yokozuna Kakuryu.
Kakuryu (10-4) went on the offensive after the jump-off, but Kisenosato endured the attack and forced him out in the end.
Kisenosato entered the tournament with his career at stake after skipping all or part of the past eight tournaments because of injuries.
Ozeki Tochinoshin bagged a crucial kachikoshi eighth win to avoid a demotion in rank. The Georgian (8-6) seized No. 4 maegashira Abi soon after the jump-off, slowly advanced forward and then threw his opponent to the surface.
Tochinoshin posted a losing record in the previous tournament in Nagoya in July when an injury forced the wrestler to withdraw from the tournament in which he debuted as an ozeki.
Ozeki Takayasu suffered his third defeat. Takayasu (11-3) forced sekiwake Mitakeumi to the bales, but Mitakeumi 8-6, winner of the Nagoya basho, made a desperate last-ditch move to push the ozeki out of the ring.
Earlier, 36-year-old No. 15 maegashira Yoshikaze (10-4) showed veteran pride by defeating an up-and-comer 12 years his junior for his 10th win.
The maegashira, who stands 177 centimeters, withstood the charge of 24-year-old Asanoyama after the jump-off, then deftly pushed the No. 5 maegashira to the surface.
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