Yokozuna Hakuho didn’t look rusty, even taking time to coax his opponent to attack on Sunday’s opening day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Hakuho, back in the raised ring after injuries forced him to miss all of the Spring basho and part of the New Year tourney, and No. 1 maegashira Tamawashi (0-1) briefly stood motionless in the ring — neither man making an attempt to attack — before the yokozuna enticed his opponent to move forward.
Hakuho eventually pushed out the maegashira for a winning start.
Yokozuna Kakuryu ended the day by slapping down komusubi Endo (0-1) for a victory.
Goeido, the lone ozeki in the tournament, took control from the jump and quickly overpowered No. 1 maegashira Kaisei (0-1), sending the bigger man over the edge for a winning start.
