Yokozuna Terunofuji, whose strength, size and resourcefulness has allowed him to outlast a legion of opponents over his career, lost the kind of long battle he usually wins Sunday, the first day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.
Terunofuji forced komusubi Nishikigi to the brink of defeat, but simply could not put him away and paid the price as he started the 15-day meet at Edion Arena Osaka with a loss.
"I was in danger there, but because I could grip the back of his belt with both hands, I could persevere," said Nishikigi, who forced his way back to mid-ring, locked up the torso of the surprised yokozuna and forced him out.
Terunofuji is coming off a triumphant January return to the raised ring, when he won a grand tournament championship in his first action since the third day of July's grand tournament in Nagoya.
New ozeki Kotonowaka easily handled the charge of No. 2 Atamifuji and slapped him down to defeat before he had time to break a sweat.
Takakeisho, wrestling as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki in need of eight wins to retain his spot at sumo's second-highest rank, skillfully slapped down No. 1 and former ozeki Asanoyama in a bout preceded by serious scowling and staring.
The two other ozeki wrestlers started the tourney with losses.
Tricky No. 1 Ura got his hands behind the head of Hoshoryu, backpedaled and dragged him down to defeat, while fellow ozeki Kirishima also met a quick end, as he was brought down on his opening charge by komusubi Abi with a hand pull down.
Wakamotoharu used his superior agility and balance to counterattack and shove out much larger No. 3 Oho, while fellow sekiwake Daieisho appeared to be beating No. 2 Meisei in a slapping and shoving battle before stumbling to defeat.
At the other end of the elite makuuchi division, No. 17 Takerufuji won his top-flight debut in style.
The 24-year old, who won his only tournament in the second-tier juryo division in January with a 13-2 record, took control from the start. When No. 16 Daiamami tried to use his bulk to turn the tide, the smaller Takerufuji got around his opponent and shoved him out.
Another wrestler on a meteoric rise, No. 5 Onosato, easily overpowered No. 6 Tsurugisho. The 23-year-old Onosato went 11-4 in January, his first makuuchi-division tourney.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Terunofuji determined to win historic 10th title in Osaka
Sumo: Hoshoryu wins one-day tournament in Tokyo
Sumo: Kotonowaka promoted to ozeki
