Yokozuna Musashimaru finally ended a title drought dating back to autumn last year by toppling sekiwake Tochiazuma on Saturday to clinch his ninth Emperor's Cup on the penultimate day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Needing to beat second-placed ozeki hopeful Tochiazuma to seal the championship with 13 wins and avoid the nightmare scenario of another playoff, the Samoan-born powerhouse never looked like cracking under pressure in the day's finale at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Musashimaru, who has twice been ousted in championship playoff meetings by fellow-yokozuna Takanohana earlier this year, wasted no time in getting to grips with Tochiazuma following some tense opening exchanges.
Calm and composed, the grand champion broke a prolonged deadlock and managed to put Tochiazuma on one leg before finishing the job by wrenching his opponent down onto the sandy surface for the win.