Sekiwake Shodai withstood a spirited challenge from rookie Tobizaru at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday to claim his first top-division championship.
With yokozuna Hakuho and Kakuryu missing the entire 15-day tourney through injury, the 28-year-old Shodai took control of the title race with back-to-back wins over ozeki Takakeisho and Asanoyama on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
The Kumamoto Prefecture native avoided a playoff on the final day at Ryogoku Kokugikan by improving to an unassailable 13-2 in the penultimate bout against No. 14 maegashira Tobizaru, who came in trailing by one win.