Winning the Emperor's Cup for the fourth time was thanks to sheer determination and a sense of responsibility as one of the sport's top-ranked wrestlers, Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament champion Takakeisho said Monday.
Takakeisho began the 15th and final day of the tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sunday a win behind No. 15 maegashira Atamifuji, before the 27-year-old rallied to grab the championship in a playoff.
A loss for the rank-and-filer and a win for Takakeisho in regulation bouts set up the championship playoff, and Takakeisho, somewhat controversially for such a high-ranking wrestler, slapped down Atamifuji straight away to seal it.