 Kitanoumi was the most successful wrestler in sumo for the rest of the 1970s.His dominance, and perceived stern demeanour, meant that he was not that popular with the general public.When he was defeated by underdog Takanohana in a playoff for the championship in September 1975, the audience threw so many "zabuton"—or cushions—into the ring in delight, that Kitanoumi said he could "hardly see the ceiling".