Ozeki Kisenosato's bid for yokozuna promotion hit a speed bump and yokozuna Hakuho suffered his first loss in four months on Thursday, the fifth day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kisenosato twice backed top-ranked maegashira Tochiozan to the straw, but was too slow to finish him off the first time and too rash in his second effort. His back to the bales, Tochiozan (3-2) slipped back to the middle of the ring only for Kisenosato to force him back again. After missing the mark once, Kisenosato powered up for another go — but telegraphed his move. Tochiozan dodged out of harm's way and the ozeki recorded his first defeat.

"He attacked and attacked, and somehow I dug myself out of a hole," Tochiozan said. "I didn't wrestle very well, although I was conscious of keeping his left-hand off my belt and managed that."