On July 21, yokozuna Hakuho became the third most successful rikishi in the modern era, even if his 26th yusho victory since first holding aloft the Emperor’s Cup 42 tournaments ago came with something of a bittersweet aftertaste.
Winning 13 straight from day one, Hakuho’s defeat to ozeki Kisenosato on Day 14 down in Nagoya put an end to his latest attempt to break the 74-year old record of 69 bouts without loss held by legendary yokozuna Futabayama (1912-1968).
He will no doubt have found solace in the fact that his 26 yusho in 43 has bettered Asashoryu’s incredible 25 in 44, but his days of looking to break the Futabayama record are, in all likelihood, over.