Six and a half years after his auspicious debut in the top division in September 1993, Musoyama finally won his first yusho, defeating fellow-sekiwake Kaio on senshuraku (final day) to clinch the championship of the 2000 Hatsu Basho Sunday with an outstanding 13-2 record.
Yokozuna Takanohana and komusubi Miyabiyama both finished with 12-3 marks and wound up with runnerup honors, Takanohana for the 11th time.
Akebono finished out of the money in third place with a disappointing 11-4 record, losing three of his last four bouts.