Prediction correct from the pre-basho Sumo Scribblings in that Hakuho did indeed win the yusho. He did so yet again with a day to spare as his challengers gradually fell away during the second week. Maegashira and future sanyaku man Okinoumi (11-4) were the best of the chasing bunch, before being beaten on Day 14 to guarantee Hakuho the title on the day the Mongolian's latest child was born.
Finishing with a 14-1 score, Hakuho again fell to Kisenosato, the same man who brought his 63 unbeaten run to an end in Kyushu back in November. Kisenosato himself finished with a very respectable 10-5 score at the third highest rank of sekiwake. At the same rank Kotoshogiku went 11-4.
Both men have long been earmarked for ozeki rank one day, but now in their in their 24th, and 26th years respectively might actually be starting to show their mettle. Coupled to his own Kyushu record, Kisenosato has now won 20 of the last 30 bouts. For his part, Kotoshogiku is on an identical score, and both were referred to by former Japanese yokozuna Takanohana, currently a stable master, as potentially being considered for ozeki promotion were they to win, or come close to winning the yusho in Osaka in March.