Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu exacted swift revenge over sekiwake and countryman Hakuho by winning a championship playoff to clinch his first title of the year at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
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| Yokozuna Asashoryu defeats Hakuho in the playoff bout on the final day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. |
Asashoryu watched sekiwake Hakuho lose his share of the overnight lead but was unable to capitalize on his compatriot's defeat to Kaio and was blown away by Tochiazuma, leaving both men with 13-2 records in regulation on the final day of action in Osaka.
But Asashoryu, beaten by Hakuho earlier in the tournament, held off a spirited challenge from the sekiwake in the playoff and floored him with an underarm throw to secure a 16th overall title.