Asashoryu floored his critics with a gratifying body blow Sunday, outmuscling fellow Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho in a dramatic championship playoff to win the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Hakuho had the odds stacked against him after a loss on the 10th day to Harumafuji left him trailing Asashoryu by one win heading into the final bout of regulation at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
But he capitalized on a momentary lapse in concentration by Asashoryu and sent him backpedaling out of the ring to leave both yokozuna with 14-1 marks and force a playoff.