Mongolian Hakuho attempted an arm throw shortly after the faceoff at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, but was forced to the edge and stepped out of the ring just before both wrestlers toppled to the dirt surface.

Losing on the opening day of a tournament is nothing new to Hakuho. He was also handed a loss on the first day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, but came back to win the Emperor's Cup in the September tournament.

In other major bouts, ozeki Chiyotaikai used his trademark arm thrusts to send top maegashira Homasho off the raised ring.

Mongolian komusubi Ama came charging out of the blocks and shoved out ozeki Kotomitsuki to pick up an opening day win.

Despite a clear disadvantage in size, Ama relied on a superior faceoff to send the ozeki over the straw ridge.

Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu opened with a win when he swatted aside top maegashira Miyabiyama.

No. 2 maegashira Kisenosato upset local favorite ozeki Kaio to start on a winning note.