Yokozuna Hakuho was sent to a shock defeat at the hands of big man Ichinojo on the opening day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
What should have been routine for the grand champion quickly turned to sudden death with Ichinojo, a Mongolian giant, earning his first win in five meetings against Hakuho after deploying a clever arm-twisting maneuver in the final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
After one false start by Ichinojo, Hakuho, who is aiming to win an unprecedented seven consecutive titles, touched his hands to the dohyo almost immediately when his opponent wrenched his right hand away while twisting to the side.
"It feels great to beat a yokozuna," Ichinojo said of Hakuho, who is gunning for his 35th career Emperor's Cup.
Ozeki hopeful Terunofuji also got off to a bumpy start after he was heaved out by Sadanoumi, while yokozuna Harumafuji made mincemeat of Tochiozan in the penultimate bout to reach the winner's column at the 15-day meet.
Terunofuji, who roughly needs 14 wins to be considered for sumo's second-highest rank, looked to have the advantage when he grabbed the mawashi with both hands, but was turned around at the edge in his haste to dispose Sadanoumi and escorted over the straw bales.
All three Japanese-born ozeki came through with flying colors in kicking off the third tournament of the year on Mother's Day, with Goeido, Kotoshogiku and Kisenosato seeing off their respective opponents in comfortable fashion.
Endo, competing despite ligament damage in his left knee, was sent crashing to the dirt by Ikioi.
The popular No. 9 maegashira appeared to favor his left leg as he fought and was abruptly sent down by tsukiotoshi.