Grand champion Kakuryu M.Anand kicked off the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on a winning note on Sunday, collecting an opening-day victory in front of a sell-out crowd at the first basho of Japan’s new imperial era.

Kakuryu, carrying the burden as the sole grand champion at Ryogoku Kokugikan following Hakuho M.Davaajargal’s withdrawal. Hakuho was forced to sit out the 15-day meet with a right biceps injury that he suffered defeating Kakuryu in the final bout of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, where he secured a record-extending 42nd makuuchi-division title with a perfect 15-0 record.

Kakuryu, seeking his sixth top-division title, won the spring meet last year in the absence of two grand champions, Hakuho and the now-retired Kisenosato.