Kaio snatched victory from the jaws of defeat Sunday as he shunted out ozeki rival and overnight co-leader Chiyotaikai to capture the Emperor's Cup with a 12-3 record on the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
In an explosive finale at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Kaio managed to smother Chiyotaikai's attempts to unleash his trademark arm thrusts but was unable to counter and found himself teetering on the edge of the ring.
But the 32-year-old Tomozuna stable grappler, who has been plagued with lower back injuries, dug deep into his energy reserves and stormed back to send Chiyotaikai backpedaling to the other side of the dohyo and over the straw bales.
It was Kaio's fourth win in as many meetings with Chiyotaikai (11-4) and earned him his first title since the 2001 Nagoya meet and fourth overall.