Shodai, who holds the third-highest rank of Sekiwake, clinched the Emperor's Cup on the final day on Sunday by beating his immediate runner-up, rank-and-file Tobizaru.

The two Yokozuna Grand Champions, Hakuho and Kakuryu, were absent from the tournament due to injuries.

Shodai has repeatedly been among the frontrunners over the past year before his first win in this tournament.

Shodai is the first wrestler from southern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture to win a tournament.

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