SCANDAL CONTINUES TO PLAGUE FOREIGN SUMO WRESTLERS

FRUSTRATED YOKOZUNA HOSHSORYU WITHDRAWS FROM NAGOYA BASHO

ASAHI
July 17, 2025

NAGOYA - Struggling yokozuna Hoshoryu withdrew from the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday after beginning the 15-day meet with a 1-3 record.

The Mongolian-born grand champion becomes only the third wrestler to pull out of two tournaments out of his first three as yokozuna since the current format of six tournaments a year was introduced in 1958, joining Asashio and Kisenosato.

The 26-year-old was promoted to the top rank after going 13-2 last November and winning the Emperor's Cup via a playoff following a 12-3 record at this year's New Year meet. He went 5-5 with five bouts missed after an injury on his yokozuna debut in March and 12-3 in May.

Hoshoryu made a disastrous start at IG Arena as he fell to three successive defeats to rank-and-filers Wakamotoharu, Aonishiki and Abi through Wednesday. No. 2 maegashira Oho, who was scheduled to meet Hoshoryu on Thursday, will win by default.

The ongoing tournament saw two yokozuna ranked together for the first time in four years following the promotion of Onosato.