Photo/Illutration Maegashira No. 9 Abi knocks down leader Takayasu, maegashira No.1, on Day 15 of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka on Nov. 27. (Jun Kaneko)

FUKUOKA--Rank-and-file Abi grabbed his first career title at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Nov. 27 by winning second straight bouts in a three-way playoff, a first in 28 years.

Before the last day of the 15-day tourney at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center here, Abi, maegashira No. 9, was one win behind the leader, Takayasu, maegashira No. 1.

But Abi emerged the winner in the showdown between the two wrestlers with powerful arm thrusts to his opponent’s neck and body, dragging Takayasu down from the lead to be tied at 12-3.

Whether it would be another showdown between the two or a three-way playoff to determine the champion of the meet was up to the result of a bout between ozeki Takakeisho, who entered the last day at 11-3, and sekiwake Wakatakakage.

Takakeisho overpowered Wakatakakage, moving on to the playoff.

In the playoff, Abi swiftly defeated Takayasu in the first bout and then Takakeisho in the second bout, reaching his maiden Emperor’s Cup.

In an interview after his victory, Abi, 28, said, “It still does not feel real that I became the champion.”

He sat out the previous tournament in September due to ankle injuries. Abi made his professional sumo debut in 2013.

Sole yokozuna Terunofuji missed the tourney after undergoing knee surgery last month.

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