Patience. That was the name of the game as yokozuna Hakuho on Sunday became only the third man in history to win his 30th career championship on the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Sumo's premier yokozuna had to stave off his overzealous rival, yokozuna Harumafuji, who was hell bent on forcing a playoff in the finale to the 15-day tournament. But after digging himself out of a hole, Hakuho disposed of his opponent in style to win with a 13-2 record and move within one title of yokozuna great Chiyonofuji and two from the all-time record of 32 held by sumo legend Taiho.

For the first time in a long while, the excitement on the final day of a major tournament was at fever pitch, with four wrestlers still in contention for the coveted Emperor's Cup when the yobidashi ushered in the first match.