Kakuryu capitalized on a slip-up by fellow Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji to clinch his third career championship with a day to spare at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.
Harumafuji crashed to his third defeat at the hands of Hakuho in the day's penultimate bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center and Kakuryu (13-1) took full advantage by seeing off ozeki Goeido (9-5).
Kakuryu came out of the blocks too early and Goeido then also made a false start in a tense finale. Goeido looked to have an edge with a crunching charge, but Kakuryu got inside him to secure victory with a pulling overarm throw.