Promotion-chasing Kisenosato tumbled headlong over his first hurdle in his bid for yokozuna, falling to a first defeat at the hands of nemesis Tochiozan on the third day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday.
It was a somber defeat for Kisenosato, who is making his first challenge at yokozuna and is expected to win at least 13 bouts, to capture his first career championship, or at least stay in the title race until the very end.
Yokozuna Harumafuji was the other big upset after suffering a first loss in a feeble performance against top-ranked maegashira Takayasu (1-2). The defeat — a simple twisting overarm throw by Takayasu — was further evidence of Harumafuji's erratic form since his debut at sumo's highest rank at last year's Kyushu Basho.