Injured yokozuna Kakuryu bulled his way to victory on Sunday, the first day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
Kakuryu, whose participation at Edion Arena Osaka was in doubt due to pain in his right fingers, barely needed to use that hand as he rocked komusubi Chiyotairyu back with his charge and drove him from the ring with a minimum of fuss.
The only doubts after the yokozuna's bout were expressed by his opponent.