A knock-out format exhibition with a 2,500,000 yen prize for the yusho, it is won by Tochinoshin who defeats Ikioi, Hakuhō (who he has never beaten in official competition in 25 attempts), Hokutofuji, Okinoumi and finally Tamawashi. March 9: Ōsunaarashi is asked to retire by the Sumo Association over his involvement in the vehicle collision and driving without a license. He had been fined 500,000 yen ($4700) by a court over the incident in Nagano Prefecture in January. Ōsunaarashi agrees to the request. 18: New juryo Takayoshitoshi withdraws from the Osaka tournament after admitting he struck a junior wrestler who was acting as a personal attendant several times in the dressing room after his Day 8 bout. Takayoshitoshi was reportedly angry that the attendant had not informed him when he was due to enter the arena, making him late for his match. 23: Takanohana indicates that he will drop his legal complaint against the Sumo Association and admits responsibility for Takayoshitoshi's behavior, as his stablemaster. 25: On the final day Takayasu defeats Kakuryu after a re-match to finish one win behind the yokozuna on 12–3. Kakuryu had clinched his fourth championship the previous day, and his only other defeat was to Tochinoshin, who wins the Outstanding Performance Award. Brazilian Kaisei is a surprise joint runner-up with Takayasu on 12–3 and wins the Fighting Spirit Prize. The Technique Award goes to Endō, who for the first time gets a winning record at the top maegashira rank. The jūryō championship is won by Sadanoumi after a playoff with Akiseyama while veteran takes the makushita title. Retiring is , who spent two tournaments in jūryō in 2013. 29: Takanohana is demoted two further ranks in the Sumo Association hierarchy, to the lowest rank of toshiyori. Takayoshitoshi is suspended from the next tournament in May. April 1: Futagoyama Oyakata, the former ozeki Miyabiyama, branches out from Fujishima stable and establishes his own Futagoyama stable, taking five low ranked wrestlers with him. The spring regional tour visits the following locations: 1: Ise Shrine Honozumo, Mie Prefecture 2: Nakatsugawa, Gifu Prefecture 3: Sakai, Osaka Prefecture 4: Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture. Chairman Hakkaku issues an apology after a referee ordered women off the dohyo when they were trying to administer first aid to the mayor of Maizuru, who had just collapsed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage while giving a speech. Hakkaku says, "In a situation that could have been