FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- Rising talent Hakuoho made a sensational start to the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament by upsetting yokozuna Hoshoryu at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Sunday.

Fellow yokozuna Onosato, meanwhile, had no problem taking care of veteran komusubi Takayasu in the final bout of the opening day.

Hoshoryu, coming off his victory in last month's five-day exhibition tournament in London, could not respond in time after losing the opening collision to 22-year-old Hakuoho, fighting at a career-high ranking of No. 1 maegashira.

Driven back to the straw bales, the Mongolian-born grand champion maneuvered for a throw but was crushed out by the explosive Hakuoho before executing the counterattack.

Gunning for back-to-back championships, Onosato was met solidly at the opening by Takayasu before taking control and comfortably forcing the former ozeki over the edge.

The 25-year-old powerhouse from Ishikawa Prefecture, who beat Hoshoryu in a championship playoff in September, is seeking his fourth Emperor's Cup of 2025 and sixth of his career in the year's final tournament.

Young Ukrainian star Aonishiki was victorious in his debut at the third-highest rank of sekiwake, dispatching second-ranked maegashira Kirishima with a rear push out.

The 21-year-old Aonishiki, who was promoted to sekiwake at a record pace, got the upper hand in an exchange of blows with former ozeki Kirishima before ushering him out from behind.

Ozeki Kotozakura overpowered No. 1 maegashira Wakatakakage while showing little sign of the knee issue that saw him pull out on Day 14 of the September meet and prevented him traveling to London.

Despite heavy strapping around the knee, Kotozakura had no apparent trouble lifting former sekiwake Wakatakakage off his feet before forcing him over the straw bales.

Oho, competing at sekiwake for the first time since March, deployed an under-shoulder swing down to defeat another former holder of the rank, No. 2 maegashira Wakamotoharu, the older brother of Wakatakakage.

Top-flight debutant Oshoumi, a No. 16 maegashira from Ishikawa Prefecture, won his maiden makuuchi division bout by forcing out No. 15 maegashira Shonannoumi.