Sekiwake Goeido promoted to ozeki for Sept. tourney

Sekiwake Goeido promoted to ozeki for Sept. tourney

NAGOYA, Japan - Smiling sekiwake Goeido (L) claps together with his supporters while stable master Sakaigawa appears full of emotion after Goeido's promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki was formally conveyed in an induction ceremony held at the Sakaigawa Stable's lodgings in Fuso, Aichi Prefecture, on July 30, 2014.

Goeido to be promoted to ozeki rank

Goeido to be promoted to ozeki rank

NAGOYA, Japan - Sekiwake Goeido holds his trophy for Shukun sho (outstanding performance prize) at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 27, 2014. Goeido has all but gained promotion to the ozeki rank after getting his 12th win in a victory over ozeki Kotoshogiku the same day, the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi said.

Hakuho suffers 1st loss at Nagoya sumo tournament

Hakuho suffers 1st loss at Nagoya sumo tournament

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho is brought down by sekiwake Goeido on the 11th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 23, 2014, suffering his first loss in the 15-day event.

Harumafuji, Hakuho still unbeaten at spring sumo tourney

Harumafuji, Hakuho still unbeaten at spring sumo tourney

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (R) pushes sekiwake Goeido out of the ring at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 19, 2014, remaining unbeaten on the 11th day of the 15-day tournament.

Goeido beats Endo in spring sumo tourney

Goeido beats Endo in spring sumo tourney

OSAKA, Japan - Sekiwake Goeido (R) beats maegashira Endo with "oshitaoshi" (frontal push down) at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 17, 2014, the ninth day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho defeats Goeido, keeps 1-win lead

Hakuho defeats Goeido, keeps 1-win lead

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho hurls sekiwake Goeido down with an uwatenage overarm throw at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2014, the 12th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Hakuho, hailing from Mongolia, kept his slate clean, with a one-win lead over compatriot and ozeki Kakuryu, 11-1, as he remained on course for his 28th championship title.

Day 4 of New Year Grand Sumo Tournament

Day 4 of New Year Grand Sumo Tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) pulls down second-ranked maegashira Chiyotaryu on Jan. 15, 2014, day four of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The Mongolian yokozuna, the tournament favorite, remained undefeated and tied for the lead at 4-0 with sekiwake Goeido.

Hakuho falls at hands of Goeido

Hakuho falls at hands of Goeido

TOKYO, Japan - Grand champion Hakuho is pictured shortly after being defeated by sekiwake Goeido, suffering his first defeat on the 10th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 24, 2013.

Hakuho falls at hands of Goeido

Hakuho falls at hands of Goeido

TOKYO, Japan - Sekiwake Goeido is shown shortly after defeating grand champion Hakuho, dealing him his first defeat on the 10th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 24, 2013.

Hakuho falls at hands of Goeido

Hakuho falls at hands of Goeido

TOKYO, Japan - Sekiwake Goeido (R) defeats grand champion Hakuho, dealing him his first defeat on the 10th day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 24, 2013.

Kisenosato incurs 3rd loss

Kisenosato incurs 3rd loss

NAGOYA, Japan - Ozeki Kisenosato (L back) is seen after losing to sekiwake Goeido (R) at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in central Japan on July 13, 2013. It was Kisenosato's third and fatal loss during the tournament in his yokozuna bid.

Kisenosato incurs 3rd loss

Kisenosato incurs 3rd loss

NAGOYA, Japan - Ozeki Kisenosato (front) loses to sekiwake Goeido at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in central Japan on July 13, 2013. It was Kisenosato's third and fatal loss during the tournament in his yokozuna bid.

Hakuho wins spring sumo

Hakuho wins spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho smiles holding a sea bream, a celebratory item in Japan, in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on March 22, 2013, after beating sekiwake Goeido on the 13th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on March 22, 2013. Hakuho secured the Emperor's Cup for the 24th time, capturing the title with two days to spare.

Hakuho wins spring sumo

Hakuho wins spring sumo

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho (L) beats sekiwake Goeido on the 13th day of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on March 22, 2013. Hakuho secured the Emperor's Cup for the 24th time, capturing the title with two days to spare.

New Year Grand Sumo

New Year Grand Sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese sekiwake Goeido (R) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu by the "sukuinage" technique on Jan. 17, 2013, the fifth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo.

No change at the top as Hakuho, Harumafuji win at summer sumo

No change at the top as Hakuho, Harumafuji win at summer sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) throws down sekiwake Goeido in the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 18, remaining unbeaten on the ninth day of the 15-day tournament.

No change at the top as Hakuho, Harumafuji win at summer sumo

No change at the top as Hakuho, Harumafuji win at summer sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) throws down sekiwake Goeido in the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 18, remaining unbeaten on the ninth day of the 15-day tournament. (Kyodo)

Goeido to be promoted to ozeki rank

Goeido to be promoted to ozeki rank

NAGOYA, Japan - Sekiwake Goeido holds his trophy for Shukun sho (outstanding performance prize) at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 27, 2014. Goeido has all but gained promotion to the ozeki rank after getting his 12th win in a victory over ozeki Kotoshogiku the same day, the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi said. (Kyodo)

Hakuho suffers 1st loss at Nagoya sumo tournament

Hakuho suffers 1st loss at Nagoya sumo tournament

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho is brought down by sekiwake Goeido on the 11th day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 23, 2014, suffering his first loss in the 15-day event. (Kyodo)

Sumo: Goeido's yokozuna promotion chances fade with 2nd defeat

Sumo: Goeido's yokozuna promotion chances fade with 2nd defeat

Sekiwake Okinoumi defeats ozeki Goeido during the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 20, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sumo: Yokozuna-chasing Goeido eases past Takayasu at Kyushu

Sumo: Yokozuna-chasing Goeido eases past Takayasu at Kyushu

Promotion-chasing ozeki Goeido (back) thrusts down sekiwake Takayasu on the second day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 14, 2016. Goeido picked up his second win of the meet. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo