Kisenosato inched closer to the professional precipice with his second straight loss at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
The 32-year-old yokozuna, who has been tasked with wrestling well after two injury-plagued years, attacked huge Mongolian Ichinojo (2-0) from the get-go, but never looked like a threat. The 226-kg No. 1 maegashira absorbed the brunt of Kisenosato's charge before slapping the embattled yokozuna to the sandy surface.
Kisenosato pulled out of November's Kyushu tourney after four straight losses and has only finished one of the previous 10 tournaments.