Mongolian rank-and-filer Ichinojo capitalized on a slip-up by Hakuho to grab a share of the lead at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday with a stunning victory over yokozuna Kakuryu.
The 10th-ranked maegashira stayed on course to become the first wrestler in a century to win the championship in his makuuchi division debut, using a "henka" maneuver to sidestep Kakuryu (10-3) and slap him to the dirt in the day's finale at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The victory leaves the 21-year-old Ichinojo, the first makuuchi debutant to beat a yokozuna since 1973, tied at 12-1 with rand champion Hakuho, who surrendered sole possession of the lead with a first defeat at the hands of newly promoted ozeki Goeido.