Kisenosato won his yokozuna debut with ease Sunday, barreling out top-ranked maegashira Takekaze on the opening day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
Sumo's latest yokozuna, the 69th in the sport's history, only needed a few quick shoves to beat Takekaze by oshidashi before a full house at Edion Arena Osaka.
Kisenosato, who became the first Japan-born yokozuna since Wakanohana in 1998 after capturing the New Year tournament in January, took his career record against Takekaze to 21-5 and will face komusubi Shodai on Monday.