Mongolian ozeki Hakuho was sent sprawling to a shock defeat against Kisenosato on Sunday, making a nightmare start to his campaign for yokozuna promotion on the first day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

News photo Kisenosato pulls down Hakuho on Sunday, the first day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan. KYODO PHOTO

Hakuho showed his impatience as he immediately went in for the kill against his 20-year-old opponent but ended up with a head-full of dirt when the komusubi dragged the ozeki down on the edge at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.