Ozeki Takakeisho blew away komusubi Daieisho to make a winning start Sunday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
But fellow ozeki Shodai started in his now-customary losing fashion, falling to komusubi Tobizaru while competing under demotion-threatened "kadoban" status resulting from his 4-11 record in September.
The ozeki pair shares top billing in the absence of sumo's lone yokozuna Terunofuji, who withdrew ahead of the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center following endoscopic surgery on both knees.
Two-time Emperor's Cup winner Takakeisho made short work of Daieisho, knocking him off balance and quickly shoving out of the raised ring.
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In the day's penultimate bout, the momentum swung back and forth as Shodai advanced in search of a belt grip and Tobizaru answered with thrusting attacks, but it was the komusubi who eventually created the opening for a push-out.
"I was able to use my brand of sumo (and) move forward. I'm just taking it day by day," Tobizaru said.
Sekiwake Mitakeumi started strongly in his bid to regain ozeki status, easily pushing out No. 2 maegashira Meisei.
Mitakeumi maintained his momentum after winning the opening clash and quickly deposited former sekiwake Meisei over the straw bales.
Three-time Emperor's Cup winner Mitakeumi was demoted after posting a losing record as a kadoban in September, but can earn promotion straight back to sumo's second-highest rank with 10 or more wins here.
No. 1 Takayasu got the better of sekiwake Wakatakakage in one of the day's more entertaining bouts, pushing the March tournament winner over the edge after a fierce exchange of blows.
The two potential title contenders met solidly in the middle and traded heavy slaps and shoves before former ozeki Takayasu dislodged his opponent while just staying inside the ring.
Sekiwake Hoshoryu narrowly escaped with a win in his battle against another of sumo's most exciting young talents, No. 1 Kotonowaka.
The 23-year-old nephew of Mongolian former yokozuna Asashoryu was bundled over the edge by the charging Kotonowaka, but the maegashira was judged to have crossed the straw before taking his opponent out.
The champion of the previous grand tournament, Mongolian iron man Tamawashi, could not make a winning start in his return to the elite "sanyaku" ranks as a komusubi, succumbing to a push-out against towering No. 2 Ichinojo.
