Kakuryu defeated rival yokozuna Hakuho to win the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday and capture back-to-back championships for the first time in his career.
Needing a win to avoid a championship playoff with ozeki-in-waiting Tochinoshin, Kakuryu defeated Hakuho for just the seventh time in their 46 career bouts. The championship is the fifth of Kakuryu's career.
"Winning consecutive championships holds very large meaning for me. Since I became a yokozuna this has been a target of mine," Kakuryu said. "Last year was a challenge for me, but so many people believed in me and supported me. The desire to repay them and make them happy has motivated me."