Ichinojo claimed his maiden Emperor's Cup at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, winning his final match against fellow rank-and-filer Ura before the joint overnight leader, lone yokozuna Terunofuji, lost to ozeki Takakeisho.
The two Mongolian-born contenders were deadlocked at 11-3 entering the final day of the 15-day tournament at Dolphins Arena, where a succession of wrestlers had been forced to withdraw from competition by the coronavirus.
The co-leaders had both lost on the penultimate day, raising the prospect of a tie-breaking bout to determine the winner of the meet.
No. 2 maegashira Ichinojo advanced to 12-3 by forcing out No. 3 Ura, who finished with a 7-8 record. Ichinojo snared the skillful ring technician at the jump with an outside belt grip and maneuvered him over the straw.
Former sekiwake Ichinojo's victory eliminated Takakeisho (11-4) from contention, leaving the ozeki with only pride on the line in the meet's final bout against Terunofuji, who was looking to force a tie-breaker.
Takakeisho yanked Terunofuji off balance after the initial collision and furiously fended off the grand champion's attempts at a belt grip. With the pair trading blows, Takakeisho thrust Terunofuji back toward the straw and over the edge, ending his bid for a second consecutive title and his eighth overall.
Ichinojo earned his third Outstanding Performance Award after racking up wins at the 15-day meet against Terunofuji, Takakeisho and ozeki Mitakeumi (2-5-8), who later withdrew due to COVID-19.
"I am really happy," said Ichinojo, the biggest man in the division at 1.92 meters and 211 kilograms. "I was trying to mentally prepare for a playoff. I felt relieved that things were already determined (by Terunofuji's loss)."
The 29-year-old giant's best previous result was a 14-1 finish at the March 2019 grand tournament, when he was runner-up to the unbeaten Hakuho.
"I thought one day I would (win a championship)," he said. "I won 14 bouts but couldn't get the title, so I'm really happy that I made it today."
Ichinojo missed the May tournament because of COVID-19, but said the absence may have helped his performance in Nagoya.
"It probably allowed me to take a good rest compared to the other rikishi, so I thought I would probably put everything into this tournament," he said.
After starting the tournament as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki, Shodai (10-5) finished with a flourish by slapping down sekiwake Wakatakakage (8-7).
The ozeki lost four of his first five bouts but turned things around in the second half.
Komusubi Hoshoryu (9-6) fell short in his bid for double-digit wins following an upset loss by thigh grabbing push down to No. 11 Midorifuji (10-5).
Komusubi Abi finished with an 8-7 record after a push-out loss to fellow former sekiwake Meisei (9-6), currently a No. 10.
No. 17 maegashira Nishikifuji received a Fighting Spirit Prize for finishing his top-division debut with a 10-5 record. He won his final bout by default against No. 7 Hokutofuji (6-9), who withdrew due to a positive COVID-19 test at his stable.
"The last win was by default, so it feels a little strange, but I'm still happy," said the 26-year-old Nishikifuji, who won the second-tier juryo championship in May.
"After I got a winning record, I just wanted to win as much as possible with the aim of getting a special prize."
Japan Sumo Association rules require every member of a stable with one reported coronavirus case to withdraw, leading to dozens of wrestlers pulling out of the first tournament without a spectator limit since the start of the pandemic.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Terunofuji, Ichinojo remain tied for lead after Day 14 losses
Sumo: Terunofuji, Ichinojo continue to lead at COVID-hit Nagoya meet
Sumo: COVID halts Tamawashi's ironman streak but JSA to make exception
