Ozeki Goeido captured his first Emperor's Cup title after downing sixth-ranked maegashira Tamawashi at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.
Goeido maintained his perfect record on the penultimate day of the 15-day meet, comfortably beating Tamawashi (9-5) by yorikiri. At 30 years and 5 months, the Osaka native is the fifth oldest to win his first championship since sumo went to a six-tourney season in 1958.
No. 14 Endo (12-2) was the only other wrestler with a mathematical chance at the crown and kept his hopes alive with victory over sekiwake Takayasu (10-4) — only to see them dashed later by Goeido.
With his mother watching ringside at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Goeido was in tears following his 14th consecutive victory.
"I just focused on wrestling as hard as I could," said Goeido, who had been in sole possession of the lead since the seventh day. "I'm really happy.
"There was a time when things didn't go my way, but I'm glad I stuck it out. I concentrated on my performance and took it one bout at a time, which led to this result.
"I really can't think about (promotion to yokozuna) right now. I want to soak up the moment for a little bit."
Goeido was promoted to ozeki in September 2014 and had he not posted a winning record in the Autumn Basho, would have been demoted from sumo's second-highest rank.
If Goeido beats Kotoshogiku (9-5) on Sunday, he would become the first-ever kadoban ozeki to lift the cup with a 15-0 mark. Goeido had struggled since becoming ozeki, with four losing records and winning in double-digits just once.
