Sekiwake Terunofuji defeated Aoiyama and captured his first career title at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, thanks in part to a late meltdown by yokozuna and fellow Mongolian Hakuho.
With the 23-year-old Terunofuji having taken care of his Bulgarian opponent to score a 12th win, all the pressure was on joint overnight leader and all-time record title-holder Hakuho in the final bout of the 15-day meet against yokozuna rival Harumafuji.
But Hakuho (11-4), seeking his seventh straight title, choked yet again and suffered his third defeat in four matches as Harumafuji came back from the brink, leaping at his opponent and turning the tables to barge him out and hand Terunofuji the title.