Yokozuna Hakuho opened the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament with a convincing win on Sunday as he kicked off his campaign to claim a record-extending 43rd championship.

Hakuho dominated his match against komusubi Hokutofuji as the 15-day tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center got off to a favorable start for the 34-year-old yokozuna. Hakuho, who is returning from a finger injury, is also seeking his first championship since becoming a Japanese citizen in September.

While Hokutofuji won their previous faceoff two months ago and inflicted the injury that forced Hakuho out of that tournament, he managed little against the Mongolian-born yokozuna. Hakuho began by attempting a belt hold, but quickly slapped down the 161-kg komusubi instead to secure the win in 2.4 seconds.