Terunofuji heralded the start of his reign as sole yokozuna on Sunday by downing new komusubi Kiribayama on the opening day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Mongolian-born Terunofuji won his fifth career Emperor's Cup in his grand-champion debut at September's Autumn meet. Days later, the retirement of record 45-time tournament winner Hakuho left Terunofuji alone at the top of the sumo world.
Terunofuji's first-day win at Fukuoka Kokusai Center did not come cheaply as Mongolian Kiribayama kept the yokozuna in check despite allowing a left underarm belt hold, getting a right overarm belt hold of his own to force a long contest.