TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Lone yokozuna Terunofuji started his latest injury comeback with a loss to komusubi Wakatakakage as the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament kicked off Sunday.

The perennially wounded grand champion completed just two tournaments in 2024, winning both, before sitting out the two most recent meets due to ongoing health problems including chronic pain in both knees and diabetes.

His battle with former sekiwake Wakatakakage in the final opening-day bout at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo wrapped up quickly, with the underdog getting his right hand inside and sending the yokozuna to the clay with an under-shoulder swing down.

Terunofuji had won 10 of his previous 11 top-division battles with Wakatakakage, who is back among the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna for the first time since undergoing a knee reconstruction in April 2023.

"That's all behind me really, and now I'm just concentrating on my sumo," Wakatakakage said. "I had good practice before the tournament and I'm very happy with how things are developing."

Ozeki Kotozakura and Hoshoryu are both bidding for yokozuna promotion at the 15-day tournament after finishing the November meet as champion and runner-up, respectively.

Kotozakura wore down No. 1 maegashira Takanosho, patiently waiting for an opening before forcing out the former sekiwake.

Hoshoryu was in the driver's seat from the outset against fellow Mongolian Kirishima, winning by force out after the No. 1 maegashira evaded a leg-trip attempt.

The other ozeki, 24-year-old star Onosato, was unable to make a winning start as he succumbed to a hand pull down against No. 2 maegashira Tobizaru.