Top-division debutant Takerufuji overcame fellow rank-and-file wrestler Gonoyama to claim a historic championship Sunday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
The 24-year-old from Aomori Prefecture compiled a 13-2 record at Edion Arena Osaka to become the first wrestler since Ryogoku in 1914 to win his maiden 15-day competition in the elite makuuchi division.
He also secured his first Emperor's Cup faster than any competitor since sumo adopted the current calendar of six annual grand tournaments in 1958, having made his official debut in September 2022.
Only one other wrestler, fifth-ranked maegashira Onosato, remained on the leaderboard at 11-3 coming into the final day, with his hopes of a tie-breaking championship playoff resting on a loss by Takerufuji.
The overnight leader took care of business, however, pushing down Gonoyama (10-5) after the higher-ranked wrestler staved off Takerufuji's initial attempt to force him over the straw bales.
Takerufuji's victory was made all the more remarkable by the fact he was laboring with a severe ankle injury suffered in his loss Saturday to No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama that prevented him from wrapping up the title with a day to spare.
He was taken backstage in a wheelchair, raising questions about his further participation in the tournament, but he dispelled any doubts after striding into the arena Sunday.
"I did it through sheer force of will. I didn't really know what was happening," Takerufuji said of his decisive Day 15 win.
"I injured a ligament in my right ankle on Day 14. My stablemaster told me to pull out, but I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life if I did. If you ever ask me to do it again, there's no way I would be able to."
The Isegahama stablemate of lone yokozuna Terunofuji earned an Outstanding Performance Award, a Technique Prize and a Fighting Spirit prize for his efforts.
His march to the title included victories over multiple opponents from the three distinguished "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna, including new ozeki Kotonowaka and sekiwake Wakamotoharu.
The 23-year-old Onosato was also aiming to make history as the fastest to win a top-flight title. With just six grand tournaments under his belt, he will have further chances to break the record.
He was unable to add to his win total on the final day against ozeki Hoshoryu (11-4). The Mongolian-born grappler showed outstanding technique as he toppled Onosato (11-4) with an underarm throw.
Ozeki Kirishima (5-10) gained small consolation at the end of a nightmare tournament by winning a drawn-out battle with Kotonowaka (10-5).
Wakamotoharu (9-6) finished with a flourish by blowing away former ozeki Asanoyama (9-6), who is set for promotion back to sanyaku.
The injury-plagued Terunofuji (2-5-8) withdrew a week into the meet due to lower back pain and other health problems.
Having started the tournament as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki, Takakeisho (8-6-1) also pulled out due to injury after securing a winning record that kept him at the second-highest rank.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Asanoyama pauses rookie Takerufuji's historic title tilt
Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho pulls out of Osaka meet with chest injury
Sumo: Debutant Takerufuji on brink of historic championship
