Lone yokozuna Terunofuji was victorious in his return from injury, while ozeki Kirishima made a winning start to his promotion bid as the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament opened Sunday at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Having withdrawn from the past three meets with severe back pain, the 32-year-old Terunofuji is aiming to complete his first 15-day tournament since winning last May's championship with a 14-1 record.
He faced a potentially tricky opening-day opponent in the form of agile komusubi Ura, who was making his debut in the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna.
The Mongolian-born grand champion was in control from the outset, however, showing no sign of injury as he locked Ura's upper arm before slinging him around the ring and over the straw.
Kirishima made short work of No. 1 maegashira Wakamotoharu, knocking the former sekiwake back with a strong opening hit, then thrusting him to the clay.
The 27-year-old Mongolian ozeki, who is taking his first shot at yokozuna promotion after winning the Kyushu meet in November, can ascend to the sport's highest rank with another championship or a record deemed worthy of a champion by the Japan Sumo Association.
Sekiwake Kotonowaka started his campaign for ozeki promotion strongly by pushing out No. 2 maegashira Abi.
The son of former sekiwake Kotonowaka and grandson of former yokozuna Kotozakura needs 13 wins to reach the ozeki promotion benchmark of 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments as a komusubi or sekiwake.
Ozeki Hoshoryu kept his composure to force out No. 1 maegashira Atamifuji, who has soared up the ranks after contending for the title at the past two meets.
The 21-year-old Atamifuji delivered a strong opening charge but could not maintain the momentum before being wrenched off balance and driven over the edge by the nephew of Mongolian great Asashoryu.
Ozeki Takakeisho logged an easy win against No. 2 Midorijufi, who slipped to the side but was quickly pushed out by the four-time Emperor's Cup winner.
Sekiwake Daieisho opened with a thrust-down victory against No. 3 Gonoyama, while komusubi Takayasu won his first match as a member of sanyaku since last January by pushing out No. 3 Hokutofuji.
Fighting as a No. 15 maegashira, highly touted newcomer Onosato won his makuuchi division debut against No. 16 Bushozan. The 23-year-old Onosato earned promotion to the top division within four meets of his debut, marking one of the fastest ascents in the modern era.
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Sumo world awaits new yokozuna as Terunofuji's retirement looms
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