KYODO NEWS - Jul 18, 2017 - 20:45 | All, Sports

Between July 9 and 23, the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament was held in Nagoya, central Japan.

The meet was held at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, and saw four grand champions and three ozeki face off for the first time since the spring meet in 2000.

Kyodo News photographers sought to capture some of the more eye-catching moments before and during the competition.

GALLERY: Scenes of sumo - Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, Part 1

GALLERY: Scenes of sumo - Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, Part 3

Sumo wrestlers (from L) Kotoyuki, Okinoumi, Kotoshogiku, Goeido, Harumafuji, Terunofuji, Chiyoshoma and Ishiura enter the venue of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in colorful kimonos bearing animal motifs.

Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho lifts a man during a morning training session in Nagoya.

Japanese WBO light flyweight champion Kosei Tanaka (R) squares up to sumo wrestler Ishiura as the boxer joined a Miyagino stable morning training session.

Shodai (L) receives a slap to the face from Hakuho at the outset of a bout on the third day of the tournament.

A hairdresser makes a topknot for Hakuho after a bout on day 4 of the competition.

Three men carry Asahisho in a wheelchair after the wrestler was injured on the fifth day.

Combined photo shows Ichinojo slapping Chiyoshoma's face (top) before Chiyoshoma fights back (bottom).

Ura reacts as he is sent to the ground by Mitakeumi.

A wrestler in juryo, the second highest division in sumo, waits for his turn to enter the ring.

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