Yokozuna Hakuho extended his career championship haul to 42 on Sunday after winning the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with a record 15th undefeated run.
Needing a win against fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu to avoid a championship playoff, Hakuho was pushed to the limit in a long battle. Although Hakuho let Kakuryu shove him backward, both wrestlers secured double belt holds, preventing either man from ending it quickly.
Hakuho broke the stalemate by thrusting his right knee inside Kakuryu's left leg, and used that leverage to lift Kakuryu off his feet before tipping him over for an underarm throw.