Photo/Illutration New sekiwake Wakatakakage, right, flings maegasira No. 7 Takayasu out of the ring in a playoff to win his first career title on the last day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Edion Arena Osaka on March 27. (Satoru Ogawa)

OSAKA--New sekiwake Wakatakakage made sumo history here March 27 when he clinched his first career title by defeating rank-and-file Takayasu in a playoff on the last day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

It was the first time in 86 years for a new sekiwake to win the championship. That feat was last accomplished by Futabayama, who later rose to sumo’s highest rank of yokozuna.

In an interview after being handed the Emperor’s Cup, Wakatakakage, a native of Fukushima Prefecture, said he hopes his maiden championship will inspire people there.

“I was happy to show that I am working very hard when people in some areas in the prefecture are still struggling to rebuild 11 years after the 2011 quake and tsunami disaster,” the 27-year-old said.

Both Wakatakakage and Takayasu, maegashira No. 7, finished the 15-day meet with 12-3 records.

They entered the last day of the meet at Edion Arena Osaka as co-leaders after Takayasu fell from being the frontrunner of the title race with a loss he suffered the day before.

But Takayasu, 32, suffered another loss in his bout against new sekiwake Abi, while Wakatakakage was overpowered by ozeki Shodai.

Kotonowaka, maegashira No. 6, was one win behind them before Day 15. The 24-year-old had a chance to grab the Emperor’s Cup by finally tying them on the last day when the two rivals were both defeated and moving onto a three-way playoff.

But that did not happen as he lost to new komusubi Hoshoryu. Kotonowaka finished with a 11-4 record.

Solo Yokozuna Terunofuji withdrew from the tournament on March 18 due to injuries to his heel and knee. Doctors said he would require a month to recuperate.

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