FUKUOKA - Yokozuna Onosato lost to one of his most troublesome adversaries Sunday as he started his campaign for back-to-back championships at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Komusubi Yoshinofuji once again proved to be a thorn in the side of the six-time Emperor's Cup winner, thrusting him down at the edge and improving to 5-1 in their head-to-head series on the opening day of the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Onosato seized the momentum from the initial charge but lost his footing while driving out the komusubi, with the judges taking their time to deliberate before ruling that the yokozuna went down first.
The result capped an opening day of upsets, with two of three ozeki also taking losses.
"I didn't really know who went out first," said Kumamoto native Yoshinofuji, who enjoyed strong support from the Kyushu crowd. "I just went right in, going all out."
Yokozuna Hoshoryu survived a minor scare to win his first competitive bout since having knee surgery in July, outmaneuvering newly promoted komusubi Churanoumi.
The Mongolian-born grand champion, who withdrew injured from the past three tournaments, was driven back to the edge before taking control and pushing out his 33-year-old opponent, the first wrestler from Okinawa to reach the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna.
No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama overpowered ozeki Aonishiki in a thrilling first-ever meeting between the pair.
The veteran former ozeki secured a strong belt grip and crushed out the 22-year-old Ukrainian star, who was runner-up to Onosato at the September grand tournament.
"I stepped in really well today and was able to drive back my opponent," Asanoyama said. "Aonishiki stays really low and his sumo is always difficult to go against, but I think I was able to do my style of sumo using the belt."
No. 1 maegashira Fujiryoga also scored an upset victory over an ozeki, pushing out Kotozakura after winning the opening collision and punishing an ill-judged pulling attempt by the higher-ranked wrestler.
"I think I was able to start the Kyushu tournament in good style," Fujiryoga said. "I wasn't too nervous and I was able to hit the ozeki from a low angle."
Mongolian-born Kirishima flew the flag for the ozeki rank, having little trouble pushing down No. 2 maegashira Ura.
Sekiwake Atamifuji overwhelmed No. 3 maegashira Takayasu, spinning the veteran former ozeki around before ushering him over the straw bales.
Also receiving strong support from the local crowd, Kumamoto-born No. 2 maegashira Fujiseiun sprang an upset by forcing out sekiwake Fujinokawa, who is coming off an 11-4 performance in September.
