Ozeki Kisenosato's bid to reach the highest rank of yokozuna is already in jeopardy after the first day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, falling to top-ranked maegashira Okinoumi on Sunday, when yokozuna Kakuryu also suffered defeat.
Kisenosato, bidding for the fourth time to earn promotion to yokozuna, has been tasked by the Yokozuna Deliberation Council with seizing an elusive first championship. He entered the 15-day tournament with somewhat brighter hopes after yokozuna Hakuho, who has won a record 37 titles, pulled out with injuries.
But after having wrapped up Okinoumi's torso with both arms and driving him to the straw bales, Kisenosato surrendered a firm left-hand hold on the back of his mawashi. Okinoumi quickly spun the ozeki around to grapple him out for a stunning defeat at Ryogoku Kokugikan.