Ozeki Kaio won the Osaka Haru Basho on Sunday with a 13-2 record after he defeated fellow ozeki Musoyama and yokozuna Takanohana lost to Musashimaru at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
It was Kaio's second championship; he won his first in May last year, with a 14-1 record at komusubi. It was also the first time since July 1996 that three or more rikishi had vied on the senshuraku with identical records.
A dramatic showdown, including a playoff seemed likely, but Kaio looked exceptionally determined, and Takanohana perhaps somewhat less than totally inspired. Kaio had been in the sole lead from the fifth day until the 13th day, when he was defeated by yokozuna Musashimaru.