Sports

SUMO | Terunofuji Withdraws from New Year Basho as Lone Ozeki Takakeisho Tops the Rankings

Hobbled by knee injuries, Mongolian-born yokozuna Terunofuji is forced to sit out his second straight tournament. The title chase appears wide open.

Published

1 year ago

January 6, 2023

Jim Armstrong

Yokozuna Terunofuji (left) faces ozeki Takakeisho in the final match of the Kyushu Basho in November 2021.

Read the full article on SportsLook - Terunofuji Withdraws from New Year Basho

When the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament begins on Sunday, January 8 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, Terunofuji, the sport's top-ranked wrestler, will be absent.

Grand champion Terunofuji decided on Friday to sit out the 15-day tournament as he recovers from surgery to both knees last October.

It's another setback for the injury-plagued 31-year-old from Mongolia who has missed all or part of three grand sumo tournaments in eight meets since making his debut as a yokozuna in September of 2021.

Terunofuji also missed the entire Kyushu tournament in November due to the surgeries and his career remains very much in doubt heading into the new year.

He hasn't won a tournament since May of 2022 when he went 12-3. And whether he can return to peak form is anyone's guess.

His withdrawal means sole ozeki Takakeisho will be the highest-ranked wrestler for the January 8-22 basho.

Former ozeki Mitakeumi and Shodai were demoted following two straight losing records last year.

Shodai, who went 6-9 in the November tournament, drops down to sekiwake while Mitakeumi, also 6-9 in Fukuoka, falls all the way down to No. 2 maegashira.

*Takakeisho (left) and Shodai compete during sumo's autumn tour in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, on October 28, 2022. (KYODO)*

Wide-Open Field for New Year Basho

With Terunofuji hobbled by injury, the tournament is wide open to whoever happens to be in good form.

Takakeisho went 12-3 in the November meet. If he is able to win the New Year Basho with 14 or 15 wins, he will gain consideration for promotion to yokozuna.

Given Terunofuji's uncertain future, sumo officials will be eager to fill the void at the top if Terunofuji is unable to come back.

Read the full story on SportsLook, and follow sumo coverage throughout the year here.

Author: Jim Armstrong

The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles here.