Aonishiki wins three-way playoff to capture third title at Nagoya Basho

Ukrainian star Aonishiki won a three-way championship playoff on Sunday to capture his third top-division title at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Aonishiki, fellow sekiwake Atamifuji and ozeki Kirishima all finished the 15-day tournament deadlocked with record of 12-3.

Atamifuji defeated Aonishiki in regulation to force a playoff at IG Arena. Kirishima then defeated fellow ozeki Kotozakura to join the two other grapplers at 12-3.

In the first playoff match, Atamifuji shoved out Kirishima to set up a showdown with Aonishiki, who forced out the sekiwake with several powerful thrusts to the upper body.

Aonishiki then shoved out Kirishima to secure the Emperor's Trophy to go along with his automatic repromotion to ozeki having secured the required 10 wins.

Aonishiki dropped down to sekiwake prior to the Nagoya basho after an ankle injury forced him out of the entire May tournament.

He came into Nagoya with plenty to be motivated about.

“My goal was not just to get the 10 wins but to also aim for the championship,” Aonishiki said. “I went down to sekiwake due to the injury but told myself I was not going to end there.”