Yokozuna Terunofuji withstood a spirited effort from upstart No. 15 maegashira Abi on Saturday to secure the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament championship with a day to spare.
The Mongolian-born titan improved to an insurmountable 14-0 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center after being driven to the edge by challenger Abi, who was making an unexpected bid for the crown in his return to the top division.
The victory on the second-last day gave Terunofuji, now the only active grand champion after Hakuho's retirement, a two-win buffer over former komusubi Abi and ozeki Takakeisho (12-2), ensuring the 29-year-old his second straight Emperor's Cup.