Ozeki Kaio's fresh bid for promotion to yokozuna suffered a hammer blow Monday after he was handed a shock defeat by Kotonowaka on the second day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Kaio (1-1) looked to be in control of the bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan but somehow lost his way at the edge of the ring and crumpled in a heap after being thrown down by the No. 2 maegashira (1-1).
Kaio won the autumn title with a 13-2 record in September last year and finished runnerup to Asashoryu with a 12-3 record at the Kyushu meet in November. He needs 13 wins or a sixth Emperor's Cup victory here to stand any chance of promotion.