Sole yokozuna Terunofuji racked up his third straight victory Wednesday, decisively ending rising star Kotonowaka's unbeaten start to the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
No. 2 maegashira Kotonowaka came into the final bout of Day 4 at Ryogoku Kokugikan having defeated all three ozeki, but he met his match against a grand champion whose fitness has been in doubt.
Returning from knee and ankle injuries that forced his early withdrawal in March, Terunofuji (3-1) answered some of the questions about his health as he outmuscled the son and namesake of former sekiwake Kotonowaka and grandson of late former yokozuna Kotozakura.