The ninth day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament turned out to be a tumultuous one as the yokozuna duo of Hakuho and Harumafuji took a step backward in the title race Monday.
Hakuho was the first to trip up, losing to fourth-ranked maegashira Ikioi for the first time in 10 career meetings. Hakuho had the overhand grip on the belt from the tachiai, but was shaken off by Ikioi (3-6), who slapped Hakuho down as the yokozuna uncharacteristically lost his balance.
Harumafuji tasted defeat in similar fashion in the day's final bout, as No. 5 maegashira Yoshikaze kept the Mongolian off his mawashi and sent him crashing to the floor as Harumafuji lunged for an inside position.