Sumo: New yokozuna Hoshoryu withdraws from Spring meet

Mainichi
March 18, 2025

OSAKA - Newly promoted yokozuna Hoshoryu pulled out of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday after suffering a right elbow injury and neck sprain requiring two weeks of recovery.

In a challenging start to his debut at the sport's highest rank, the 25-year-old Mongolian had lost four of his first nine bouts at Edion Arena Osaka.

He will drop to 5-5 at the 15-day meet after forfeiting his scheduled Day 10 match against rank-and-file opponent Ura.

Hoshoryu's stablemaster Tatsunami said he aggravated his previously injured elbow during his loss to former ozeki Takayasu on Sunday.

"He said he couldn't stretch it," said the stablemaster, formerly komusubi Asahiyutaka. "I didn't want him to continue putting in sub-par performances. I need him to get a good result in the summer tournament (in May)."

Hoshoryu is the first yokozuna to withdraw from his debut tournament at the top rank since Futahaguro in September 1986. His absence leaves the Osaka meet without a yokozuna.

"He's still young, so I hope people will keep things in perspective and look at him kindly," Tatsunami said.