Yokozuna Kakuryu defended the rank's honor by making quick work of rank-and-filer Hokutofuji at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday en route to his second straight win.
Closing out the second day of action at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Kakuryu easily dispatched No. 1 maegashira Hokutofuji (1-1), who entered the ring extra fired up after delivering a shock opening-day upset to yokozuna Hakuho on Sunday.
Taking control at the initial charge, Kakuryu shoved Hokutofuji back and then slapped the former komusubi down to the side to quash his hopes of downing a second yokozuna at the 15-day meet. Hokutofuji had beaten Kakuryu twice in four previous meetings.