Mongolian grand champion Hakuho rebounded from a first-day defeat Monday, overpowering Homasho on the second day of action at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
In the day's final at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Hakuho spun around Homasho once before heaving out the No. 1 maegashira from the left-hand side to improve to a 1-1 record and bounce back from his loss to komusubi Kotoshogiku a day earlier. Homasho slipped to 0-2.
Hakuho won his fourth Emperor's Cup at the autumn meet in September and is the favorite to take home the honors here, despite making a slow start.
Injury plagued ozeki Kaio, meanwhile, went on a runaway express to push out former ozeki Miyabiyama (0-2) for his first win, quickly moving in for his favorite left-handed grip to usher out the top-ranked maegashira.