Ozeki Tochiazuma's bid for promotion to grand champion got off to a rocky start Sunday with a loss to komusubi Wakanosato on the opening day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
After a violent clash at the face off, giant-killer Wakanosato methodically forced Tochiazuma to the edge where he got a grip on his opponent's belt and calmly lifted the stunned ozeki out over the ridge at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Tochiazuma, who won November's Kyushu tournament and is bidding for promotion to the sports's highest rank, needs at least 13 wins in the 15-day tournament to secure promotion to yokozuna, and can afford few setbacks.