Push came to shove, slap turned into frontal force out and both Hakuho (8-7) and Miyabiyama (9-6) flopped big time. Former sanyaku man Takanowaka took the Juryo title 11-4 after a fierce play-off with Toyozakura and Sawaii took the Makushita title 7-0; albeit securing his final win with a rather distasteful henka. The Sandanme, Jonidan and even Jonokuchi divisions witnessed some enthralling battles for fans of the lower ranks but when the dust settled and when the papers hit the stands after the tournament the name of one man was on the lips of millions -- Shinzo Abe!
A man demonstrating he learned well living in the shadows of his "ride the bandwagon and be seen with as many famous folk as possible" predecessor as Prime Minister -- Junichiro Koizumi, Abe turned up on Day 15, struggled to lift and present a trophy to yusho winner Asashoryu, turned, waved to those fans still in the stadium, reveled in the moment, swiped the yokozuna's hard earned limelight and then left.
Asashoryu meanwhile stood smiling and playing his part. Whether or not he stole a glance up over his right shoulder at a picture of former yokozuna Takanohana is unknown.