The spring sumo tournament ended in Osaka a few hours ago, with yokozuna Hakuho taking his 10th title with a perfect 15-0 record. In the final match, he knocked of fellow yokozuna Asashoryu, who finished with a disappointing 11-4 record. Some other significant developments:

- Ozeki Harumafuji (the former Ama) seems finally to have reached a level of comfort at his new rank, the second highest in the sport. After a very shaky first week, he finished up 10-5.

- Sekiwake Baruto likewise seems to have stabilized at his rank, finishing 8-7 by winning on the last day. If he can stay healthy, his future looks promising.

- Ozeki Kaio, the sport's grumpy old man with an achy back, impressed many early on, but finished by eeking out a barely respectable 8-7 mark.

- Gargantuan newcomer Yamamotoyama showed not only bulk but also technical flair, ending at 8-7. Also impressive in the lower ranks were Homasho (11-4, Fighting Spirit Prize) and Kakuryu (10-5, Technique Prize).

- Veteran Otsukasa (Juryo #12) retired after withdrawing midway with a 1-12 record.

In on-line fantasy sumo, I earned a 9-6 record for the tournament, so I'm smiling. It was a dream-like two weeks for me: I placed my on-line picks for the first day here in Chicago, then watched those matches live on a tv screen in my Tokyo hotel room. I caught the broadcast on subsequent days from various locations in Japan, and then attended in person at the Osaka Municipal Gymnasium on Day Nine, last Monday. The last few days I've watched on tape from TV Japan, back here in Chicago.

I didn't realize it at the time, but I may have witnessed the key bout of the tournament when I visited Osaka on Monday. Asashoryu knocked off Baruto in a ferocious match to remain undefeated at 9-0, tied with Hakuho for the lead. I was thrilled then by the intense victory, but I think the match took something out of Asashoryu. He may have even reinjured his left elbow, though no announcements were forthcoming. He lost to Harumafuji the next day and proceeded to rack up a dismal 2-4 record in his remaining six bouts.

I hope Hakuho's win prods Asashoryu into making an over-the-top effort to take the May title. Sumo is more fun, after all, when you have two strong contenders. And, as this recent article at GlobalPost reminds us, the sport still has more than its share of troubles to overcome. In the meanwhile, all hail Hakuho: he just turned 24 a few days before the tournament starts, and his sumo just keeps getting better and better.