The Mongolian grappler needed an extra bout to beat the determined rank-and-filer at the Nagoya Basho and came through with flying colors.
Mongolian grappler Hoshoryu was pushed to the brink by Abi but recovered to record an all-important win on Day 1 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Mongolian sekiwake Hoshoryu also virtually secured promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki for September’s tournament.
With one week to go in the Nagoya Basho, Hoshoryu is in a strong position to secure promotion to ozeki, sumo’s second-highest rank.
Lone ozeki Takakeisho comes through with a clutch win against the rank-and-filer on the final day, collecting his first title since November 2020.
With grand champion Terunofuji sidelined with knee injuries, lone ozeki Takakeisho is the tournament's highest-ranked wrestler.
The No. 8 maegashira is off to his best start ever and is one win ahead of Tamawashi at the 15-day tournament.
No. 2 maegashira Ichinojo beat Ura in an earlier bout to go one better than the lone grand champion.
The lone yokozuna won his second straight tournament at the sport's highest rank.