Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho kicked off his campaign with a bang Sunday, handily disposing of countryman Kakuryu on the first day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Hakuho made short work of Kakuryu, grabbing a wayward arm after the faceoff before shoving the komusubi over the ridge in a matter of seconds at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
"Today I did a fair job. I am relieved," said Hakuho. "My opponent came in low and I saw his arm hanging there and just went with the flow. I am happy that I could perform my sumo under the same roof where we were greeting the Imperial Couple," he said.