TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Lone yokozuna Terunofuji dug deep for his first victory of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday, forcing out stubborn No. 1 maegashira Takanosho at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena.

Coming off an opening-day loss to komusubi Wakatakakage, the injury-plagued grand champion was desperate to avoid a 0-2 start to his comeback tournament after missing back-to-back meets with chronic knee pain and symptoms of diabetes.

He neutralized a solid opening charge from Takanosho (0-2) and looked set for a quick force out, but the former sekiwake drove the action back to the middle of the ring before Terunofuji used a strong belt grip to dispatch his opponent.

Ozeki Kotozakura, gunning for promotion to yokozuna after winning the November championship, hit an early hurdle at the 15-day tournament in the form of a thrust-out loss to komusubi Abi (1-1), who delivered a strong opening charge and stayed on the front foot.

"I was able to keep totally focused," Abi said. "My thrusting attack is not in good form yet and I need to work on it. I want to keep my concentration and just move forward."

Ozeki Hoshoryu, who can also earn yokozuna promotion after going 13-2 in November, stayed perfect on Day 2 by easily dispatching No. 2 maegashira Tobizaru (1-1) with a frontal crush out.

Ozeki Onosato bounced back from his upset loss to Tobizaru by pushing out No. 1 maegashira Kirishima (0-2).

Both Wakatakakage and his sekiwake brother Wakamotoharu failed to build on their opening-day wins, falling to No. 3 maegashira Oho (2-0) and Gonoyama (1-1), respectively.