OSAKA, Japan — Grand champion Hakuho defeated Takekaze on today's first day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Mongolian Hakuho, who is bidding for his fourth straight Emperor's Cup, got a grip of Takekaze's belt after the faceoff and sent the komusubi sprawling to the dirt surface in the day's final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.

In other major bouts, grand champion Asashoryu of Mongolia overpowered komusubi Kisenosato to open with a win.

Hakuho defeated Asashoryu on the final day of the New Year tourney and the two rivals are expected to be in contention down to the final bout once again.

Asashoryu, who has won 21 Emperor's Cups, used a series of arm thrusts to the chest to send Kisenosato backpedaling out of the ring.

Elsewhere, top maegashira Asasekiryu shoved out Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu in a matter of seconds to post an opening-day win.

No. 2 maegashira Aminishiki upset ozeki Kaio while Chiyotaikai, who needs a winning record in this tournament to maintain his ozeki status, downed No. 2 maegashira Miyabiyama.

Top maegashira Kakuryu forced out Kotomitsuki, who became the first of three ozeki casualties on the opening day of the 15-day tournament.