Kisenosato's fresh bid for promotion to yokozuna suffered a major blow on Thursday with a second loss, while Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho moved into sole possession of the lead with a perfect 5-0 record at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Aiming for promotion to sumo's top rank for the second time, Kisenosato looked clearly rattled after Bulgarian opponent Aoiyama (3-2) knocked him back after coming out of the blocks too early for a "matta" false start at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
But when the bout finally did get going after a second matta, Aoiyama was in total control, ramming Kisenosato out to score his first win in six meetings in grand tournaments against the ozeki.