It was not pretty, but Hakuho defeated fellow Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji to capture a record-extending 36th career championship title with a 14-1 record on Sunday, the final day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
Entering the day in control of his own fate with a one-win lead, Hakuho used a frowned-upon henka sidestep technique at the charge to avenge three straight defeats to Harumafuji (9-6), triggering boos and jeers among the sold-out crowd at Edion Arena Osaka.
The most successful wrestler in sumo history, Hakuho has dominated the top makuuchi division in recent years but had not won a championship title since the Nagoya meet in July last year.