Hakuho pulled off an improbable comeback in Houdini-esque fashion, rallying from behind and beating yokozuna destroyer Kakuryu in a playoff to win the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
The yokozuna got his chance for a rematch against countryman Kakuryu after the sekiwake was sent to a second defeat at the hands of Goeido, forcing a playoff when Hakuho disposed of ozeki Baruto in the final bout of regulation to leave both men with 13-2 marks.
Hakuho, who had lost to Kakuryu earlier in the tournament, for the second time in as many meets, tasted the sweetest revenge in the end to win his 22nd career title, tying him with former yokozuna Takanohana for fifth on the all-time list.