Hakuho Davaajargal wins tie-breaker, 28th career title on Day 15

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ According to Asahi news website published on Sunday, Yokozuna Hakuho Davaajargal won his 28th career title on Jan. 26 after Mongolian compatriot Kakuryu forced a tie-breaker in an exciting finish to the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Hakuho lived up to his status as grand champion of the sport by demolishing the ozeki in their second go. The yokozuna completed the 15 days of competition with 14 wins plus the tie-breaker victory. In their first match of the day, Kakuryu slammed into Hakuho at the start and beautifully worked his way through the yokozuna's defenses, going hard for the belt and lifting Hakuho off-balance so that he could be driven into a retreat out of the ring. It was Kakuryu's bout from the outset, and the ozeki appeared the far superior wrestler-which, of course, is rarely the case when Hakuho climbs into the ring. Kakuryu's win ended Hakuho's chances of finishing yet another tournament with a perfect record. But defeating Hakuho twice is no easy task. In the tie-breaker, Hakuho was much better, getting his own belt-hold attack going and using it to disarm Kakuryu shortly after the face-off. Within seconds, Kakuryu was tumbling out. "I really wanted this championship no matter what," Hakuho said. "I'm very happy. ... It will be my last title as a 28 year old." Because of his solid results, Kakuryu could be up for promotion himself if he wins the tournament in March with 13 or more victories, or displays otherwise outstanding skills. Pre-tournament sensation Kisenosato had to pull out of his bout against fellow ozeki Kotoshogiku because of the injury to his right big toe he suffered on Jan. 24. The withdrawal was announced just minutes before the two were supposed to pair off, to the great disappointment of the final day crowd at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena. With the default loss, Kisenosato finishes with a losing record and will be in danger of demotion if he performs poorly again next time out. Kisenosato's showing was a big letdown to the fans who had hoped he would show his true colors and possibly even earn the nod for promotion to sumo's highest rank, which has not seen a Japanese-born wrestler for ages. Kotoshogiku closes at 9-6, meaning he will remain an ozeki. Sekiwake Goeido, who has been at this rank for 11 tournaments, came out too fast in his first attempt at fellow sekiwake Kotooshu, the former ozeki. But he was smart and tricky the second time out and sent the injury-prone Bulgarian staggering over the edge. They both go home with 8-7 records. Komusubi Tochiozan pulled No. 6 maegashira Tamawashi (8-7) down by the neck and shoulder for his 11th win. The bout completes a tournament that started with three consecutive losses but gained a lot of steam for Tochiozan. Top maegashira Toyonoshima won his eighth bout and will probably be returning to komusubi status next time out. He defeated Okinoumi, a No. 5 maegashira.