Troubled yokozuna Asashoryu marked his eagerly anticipated return to the raised ring with an enthralling opening-day win over komusubi Kisenosato at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
Roared on by the majority of fans at Ryogoku Kokugikan, the 22-time Emperor's Cup winner regrouped after a nervous start to bulldoze Kisenosato up against the straw bales and stun his crimson-faced opponent with a pair of meaty blows to the face.
Victory helped ease some of the pressure on the yokozuna to put on a strong showing at the 15-day meet after he missed part or all of the previous three tournaments through injury.