Hakuho maintained an unblemished record Monday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, but fellow Mongolian-born yokozuna Kakuryu suffered an upset loss to komusubi Hokutofuji.
After pulling out of the New Year Grand Tournament in January due to a foot injury, Kakuryu (1-1) raised further questions about his health with a defeat in the final bout of Day 2 at an empty Edion Arena Osaka.
The 15-day tournament is being held behind closed doors after the Japan Sumo Association took the unprecedented step of locking out spectators to combat the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.