New yokozuna Terunofuji got off to a winning start Sunday at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, but ozeki Shodai and Takakeisho both suffered upset losses in their opening bouts.
The 29-year-old Terunofuji fell short of a third straight championship in July in Nagoya, but his 14-1 record was enough to earn him promotion to sumo's highest rank. Picking up where he left off, he claimed a fast force-out win over komusubi Ichinojo at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Terunofuji, who acquired his Japanese citizenship in early August, quickly got a left overarm belt hold against the giant komusubi and drove forward to end the bout in a matter of seconds.