Ozeki Goeido had a small scare during his bout with Tochiozan on Sunday but got off to a winning start on the opening day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, while yokozuna Hakuho showed a strong comeback after missing the September meet due to injuries.
Goeido, who won the Autumn tourney with a perfect 15-0 record and is looking for promotion to the highest rank of yokozuna, made a strong drive toward Tochiozan and looked like he might lose his balance at one point, when his opponent tried to sidestep the ozeki's charge, but held on as he pushed the top maegashira out of the ring.
Hakuho thrusted Okinoumi downward by the shoulders, as the nervous sekiwake, who had made two false starts, was helpless against the yokozuna at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Hakuho now has a 17-1 record against Okinoumi.