OSAKA (Kyodo) -- New yokozuna Hoshoryu suffered a nightmare start to his time at the exalted rank on Sunday after the Mongolian-born wrestler was defeated emphatically by komusubi Abi on the opening day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

The 74th yokozuna Hoshoryu, the nephew of former grand champion Asashoryu, won promotion after winning the Emperor's Cup via a three-way playoff at January's New Year meet but was handed a reality check at the earliest opportunity at Edion Arena Osaka.

A tame opening from the yokozuna left a huge gap for devastating pusher-thruster Abi to exploit and the former sekiwake produced his trademark shoves to the throat of the yokozuna, turned him sideways and sent him flying out of the raised ring in a flash to leave the packed crowd stunned.

"It was great I wrestled while maintaining the kind of distance I like," said Abi, who was not too bothered about the bout marking Hoshoryu's yokozuna debut.

"I don't think about those things. I just took it on thinking just about today's bout. I'm focusing well and want to continue doing so."

Hoshoryu is only the third wrestler in history to occupy the top rank on his own upon his promotion, after Tamanishiki and Akebono, and is looking to become the 10th wrestler to lift the Emperor's Cup as a new yokozuna.

Demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki Kotozakura, meanwhile, failed to make the most of his promising start as he was grappled out by No. 1 maegashira Wakamotoharu.

Kotozakura won his first Emperor's Cup at the Kyushu meet in November and was bidding for yokozuna promotion alongside Hoshoryu in January but stumbled to a 5-10 record. He needs eight wins this month to keep his ozeki rank.

Ozeki Onosato forced Wakatakakage to the edge before flooring the No. 1 maegashira with a twisting backward knee trip.

New sekiwake Oho, who fought in the playoff in January, made a losing start after the grandson of former yokozuna Taiho fell to a right overarm throw from No. 2 maegashira Chiyoshoma. Another sekiwake Daieisho was thrust down by No. 2 maegashira Gonoyama.