Yokozuna Hakuho picked up where he left off in Nagoya — with another classy win — as the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament got under way Sunday in the aftermath of a widespread betting scandal that has cast a sinister shadow over Japan's national sport.
Hakuho, who has won the last three tournaments with flawless 15-0 records, settled after a nervy start in the day's finale, putting fellow Mongolian Kakuryu to the sword with a routine shove at the edge of the ring to extend his astonishing winning streak to 48 bouts.
Hakuho, who is chasing his 16th Emperor's Cup, is third on the all-time list for most consecutive victories. Another five straight wins will see him match the run of former yokozuna great Chiyonofuji.