Mongolian grand champion Hakuho jump-started his debut at sumo's ultimate rank with a strong victory over komusubi Tokitenku on the first day of action at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
Yokozuna debutant Hakuho, right, severely presses komusubi Tokitenku on the first day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on Sunday. The Mongolian won.
KYODO PHOTOBut fellow yokozuna Asashoryu suffered an opening day shock defeat at the hands of komusubi Aminishiki.
Hakuho unleashed a series of shoves after the faceoff and stepped away to get a good look at his opponent before moving in for a firm belt grip and squeezing the komusubi over the edge in textbook fashion at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.