Terunofuji, right, defeats Hoshoryu on the 10th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Nov

Terunofuji, right, defeats Takayasu on the ninth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Nov.... 22, 2021, at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.... Occupying the ancient sport's highest rank alone for the first time after the retirement of 45-time champion Hakuho, Terunofuji is living up to his top billing as he ousted a tricky opponent in former ozeki Takayasu( 5-4) at Fukuoka Kokusai Center....

Promotion-chasing ozeki Terunofuji, left, defeats Mitakeumi on the 11th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 14, 2021.... Both Hakuho and Terunofuji faced tricky opponents but came away unscathed.... Yokozuna Hakuho beat debutant komusubi Wakatakakage, while resurgent ozeki Terunofuji brushed aside sekiwake and two-time Emperor's Cup winner Mitakeumi at Dolphins Arena....

Terunofuji( facing camera) beats Hokutofuji on the fourth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept.... The lone yokozuna in the absence of Hakuho, whose stable has been sidelined following two COVID-19 cases, Terunofuji( 4-0) stayed unbeaten in his first tournament at sumo's highest rank by dispatching No.... Having beaten two opponents from the three" sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna, Hokutofuji( 2-2) made little ground with a thrusting attack against Terunofu

Newly promoted yokozuna Terunofuji( R) defeats Tamawashi on the eighth day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept.... The undefeated sole leader secured a winning record for the tournament but was more than tested by veteran Tamawashi( 3-5), who moved to his left at the initial charge and, with a hand on Terunofuji's throat, had the yokozuna tottering at the straw.... A fifth career championship and a first as yokozuna would add to an already remarkable career

Grand champion Terunofuji, right, defeats Takanosho on the fifth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Nov.... Terunofuji, who entered the 15-day event at Fukuoka Kokusai Center as the sport's lone grand champion, improved to 5-2 in seven career bouts against Takanosho( 2-3).... A well-timed blow to the yokozuna's throat prevented Terunofuji from grabbing his favorite left-handed over-arm hold from the get-go....

Grand champion Hakuho, right, defeats Chiyotairyu on the ninth day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 12, 2021.... Grand champion Hakuho continued his career dominance over No.... Hakuho improved to 10-0 for his career against Chiyotairyu, barely breaking a sweat in the final bout of the day....

Newly promoted yokozuna Terunofuji( facing camera) defeats Takanosho on the third day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept.... Newly promoted Terunofuji( 3-0) showed off his strength and footwork as he forced out Takanosho( 1-2) in the final bout of Day 3 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, remaining unbeaten in his first tournament as a grand champion.... Mongolian-born great Hakuho has been kept out of the 15-day meet along with the rest of his Miyagino stable, where tw