Yokozuna Kisenosato succumbed to his third loss at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday while Mongolian grand champions Hakuho and Harumafuji secured their ninth straight wins at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Kisenosato's hope of a third straight championship was dealt a severe blow by Tochiozan (5-4). The yokozuna's slap off the initial charge did not deter the fourth-ranked maegashira, who easily put his head to Kisenosato's chest and bulldozed him over the ridge in a surprisingly one-sided bout.
"I was in good shape off the charge. I wasn't expecting (Kisenosato's) slap but I kept my footing and felt there was a chance," said Tochiozan, who secured his 15th win in 40 bouts against his fellow 30-year-old.