Undefeated yokozuna Harumafuji clinched his fifth career championship with one day to spare, bullying out ozeki Kakuryu at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.

The yokozuna surpassed all expectations with an insurmountable 14-0 mark after a crash-and-burn yokozuna debut in November, where he suffered the indignity of losing his final five bouts.

He has more than silenced his critics who suggested involuntary retirement would be his only option if he did not win at least 10 bouts at the Tokyo Basho. Now the only thing left is for Harumafuji to punctuate his first title win at sumo's highest rank by beating rival yokozuna Hakuho on the final day on Sunday.