OSAKA - Champion Kirishima ended the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with a loss on Sunday but his return to ozeki is now a certainty, while Aonishiki fell to a losing record after yokozuna Hoshoryu beat the ozeki for the first time after five attempts.

With the title wrapped up, an under-par Kirishima (12-3) ended the meet getting overpowered by Kotozakura (10-5). The ozeki quickly secured a right overarm belt hold and grappled forward using his torso effectively en route to claiming a comfortable force-out win at Edion Arena Osaka.

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