Mongolian grand champion Hakuho captured his first title since his promotion to sumo's highest rank Sept. 23, ripping through ozeki Chiyotaikai to claim the coveted hardware at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho won his fourth career Emperor's Cup, finishing with a 13-2 record at the 15-day meet. The 22-year-old achieved the feat in his second basho since his promotion, although it was in the absence of suspension-hit grand champion Asashoryu — sumo's dominant force.

"Winning is everything as a yokozuna," Hakuho said. "I had pressure (after my losses) but a yokozuna is a yokozuna, so I had to do my best to get the title. I didn't know how it would turn out but just kept my focus each day."