Yokozuna Asashoryu fired rival Hakuho a warning shot on Sunday as he marked his return to the raised ring with a stylish win over Kotoshogiku on the opening day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Having served out a two-tournament suspension lifted at the close of last November's Kyushu meet, the 21-time Emperor's Cup winner came back with a bang, flooring his komusubi opponent with a routine throw in the day's penultimate bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Fellow Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho also made sure he did not disappoint as the reigning Emperor's Cup holder and shot down former ozeki Dejima to post his first opening-day win in three meets.