Hakuho beats Kotooshu to win one-day meet

Tokyo (Kyodo News) Mongolian grand champion Hakuho manhandled Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu in the final Sunday to win a one-day sumo tournament in Tokyo.

Hakuho won the title for the first time in four years and second time overall, disposing of rank-and-filer Tochinoshin in a semifinal match before dispensing with Kotooshu using an overarm throw in the final at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Hakuho’s victory provided some consolation after he lost in a playoff to rival yokozuna Asashoryu at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament last month.

Asashoryu failed in a bid to win his fourth straight title here after losing to Kotooshu in the semifinals. Kotomitsuki, Chiyotaikai, Kaio and Harumafuji — the four remaining ozeki — exited in their first matches of the day in the second round.

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