Hakuho prevailed in an all-yokozuna showdown to take the gloss off Asashoryu's 25th championship win on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
In an anticlimactic finale, Asashoryu, who secured the tournament hardware on Saturday, failed on his attempt to knock over Hakuho with a pair of inner leg trips as both grappled for control at Ryogoku Kokugikan. And with only pride to play for, Hakuho (12-3) countered and followed through to march Asashoryu out to only his second defeat of the 15-day meet.
"It's been a while since I have won the title on the penultimate day," said Asashoryu. "The yokozuna battle is the final and I was fired up for it so I'm sorry I couldn't win for my fans here."